Wolf Island Provincial Park Management Statement

March, 1985

This Interim Management statement will provide interim direction for the management of Wolf Island Candidate Provincial Park until a comprehensive Park Management Plan is prepared.

This statement will provide the basis for the subsequent preparation of the Park Management Plan.

I am pleased to approve this Interim Management Statement for Wolf Island Candidate Provincial Park.

M. Fordyce
Regional Director
Central Region

Background information

• Name: Wolf Island Candidate Provincial Park
• Proposed class: Natural Environment
• MNR district: Lindsay
• MNR region: Central
• Total Area (ha): [no information provided]
  Land: 330 ha
  Water: [no information provided]
• Site Region: 6
• Site District: 6-9
• Date in regulation: 1985

Enlarge figure 1: Regional setting (PDF)

Targets

1. Life science representation

• site type/landscape unit: Precambrian
• species/communities:
  • Open rockland (lichens, mosses, scattered trees and shrubs, red oak, white pine, sumac)
  • Semi-open and closed mixed and deciduous forest (red oak, white oak, white pine, sugar maple, white ash, ironwood, basswood)
  • Wetlands (sedge, forb meadow, thickets)
  • Wetland forest (hemlock, white cedar, black ash, yellow birch, blasam fir, basswood)

2. Earth science representation

• geological theme: Precambrian metasedimentary and igneous rock types
• feature:
  • Paleozoic limestone outlier
  • Glacial abrasions (crescentic gouges, striations)
  • Bare rock ridges and shallow till

3. Cultural resource representation

• theme: [no information provided]
• theme segment: [no information provided]

4. Recreation opportunities

• day use: Lindsay D.L.U.G.
  *Picnic tables - 50
• car camping: Lindsay D.L.U.G.
  *Campsites - 10
• wilderness/back country: [no information provided]

Inventories

Level/type	Earth science	Life science	Cultural	Recreational	Other
Reconnaissance completion date	An Evaluation of Earth Science Features in the Parks, Park Reserves and Special Areas of Central and Southwestern Region - MNR, 1977	[no information provided]	[no information provided]	Lindsay District *Land Use Guidelines	[no information provided]
Required?	[no information provided]	detailed biological study	reconnaissance cultural study	[no information provided]	[no information provided]

Management guidelines

I Land acquisition/disposition

The Ministry will investigate, whenever deemed necessary, methods for road access from the nearest highway to the park. The park is presently landlocked from the nearest highway. Access may involve an easement, lease, purchase, etc.

II Existing/proposed development

The only development that has taken place is the construction of two dams (North Blackduck Dam, South Blackduck Dam) and the Lovesick Lock. These three projects were constructed by the Trent-Severn Waterway on three small parcels of land, either on or adjacent to the park reserve, that the federal government controls.

A short and ill-defined walking path leads from the federally-owned lock and onto the island.

Several small informal picnicking/camping areas, created by boat-in users and fishermen are located at the dams and on the park reserve.

No development is proposed until a management plan is prepared for the site. At some point in the future, if deemed necessary, signs may be posted indicating land ownership and park status.

III Recreation activities

There is evidence that the park reserve has been used for hunting, boat-in camping and day-use activities such as picnicking, fishing and swimming. All of these activities except hunting will be allowed to continue until a management plan is prepared. At that time, all activities will come under review. However, in the interim if a particular activity is judged to have a serious impact on the environment and/or causes management problems, a review of the appropriateness of such activities and the initiation of remedial measures should occur. Hunting will not be permitted after 1985.

Garbage should be picked up at least twice a year (after July and August long weekends), with the primary area requiring attention being the informal camping areas adjacent to the Black Duck dams. The Ministry should investigate the possibility of establishing a cooperative agreement with the Trent-Severn staff from the adjacent Lovesick Lock regarding garbage pickup.

Recreational potential is limited due to shallow soils, lack of road access, rugged shoreline and extensive shoals.

Since most existing activities will continue, yet not be promoted, there is little need, at present, for any client services (e.g., information, interpretation, signs, fuelwood). As well, the provision of supplying 50 picnic tables and 10 campsites, as suggested in the District Land Use Guidelines, will be determined during the management planning exercise.

Enlarge Figure 2: Local context map (PDF)

IV Natural resources

Forest management

No major forest management work has occurred. Since the park will be regulated as a natural environment park, interim forest management activities will be limited to tree removal for safety purposes. Dead and over-mature trees will be left as den trees and for natural decomposition. The vegetative communities will be allowed to evolve naturally.

Fish and wildlife management

The park does not plan any specific fish management. Buckhorn Lake and Lovesick Lake are the responsibility of the Kawartha Lakes Fishery Assessment Unit.

Commercial trapping will not be permitted after 1985. Trapping, as a management technique, may occur where it is necessary to deal with nuisance animals.

V Marketing

Even though Wolf Island will be regulated as a provincial park in 1985, there are no plans in the near future to promote its use, apart from general information provided to the public regarding Public Land holdings.

VI Research

Research projects required include:

1. detailed biological study
2. cultural study

These studies will be conducted as funding and priorities permit.

Bibliography

Ministry of Natural Resources, 1977. Provincial Parks Systems Plan, Central Region.

Ministry of Natural Resources, 1977. An Evaluation of Earth Science Features in the Parks, Park Reserves and Special Areas of Central and Southwestern Regions.

Ministry of Natural Resources, 1983. Lindsay District Land Use Guidelines.

Files: General File 6609-05-48 (Central Region) ANSII File 310/9 180370