FORESTERS FALLS — The Ottawa River Provincial Park was established in 1999 and is 125 hectares spread over 46 parcels of land.
“The park was created through the Ontario Living Legacy program,” said Jason Mask, a park superintendent with Ontario Parks.
The Ottawa River Provincial Park is surrounded by 200 acres of private land and is mostly made up of islands, he said. It is located at the far end of the rapids on the Ottawa River in the Township of Whitewater Region.
There is no public access to the park except by water, he said. The interim management statement gives direction of how the park is the be used, and it’s mostly for the protection of the unique shoreline, he said.
“That shoreline represents the natural features along the Ottawa River that are undeveloped with cottages,” Mr. Mask said. “There is a rich history along he Ottawa River. The park offers protection for the cultural representation. It also protects the natural vegetation and land forms that have been taken away or built on.”
It had been suggested by OWL Rafting owner Claudia Van Wijk that a road could possibly be constructed from Grants Settlement Road to the park, which would then allow for public access off of the Ottawa River at the end of the rapids.
There is no mention in the statement for an opportunity for roads to be created for public access, he said.
“If the plan were done now, there could be the potential for roads to be discussed,” Mr. Mask said.
Mr. Mask said if a road were constructed, the kayakers would still have to paddle quite a distance from where the whitewater rafting happens.
