I've camped at Presqu’ile Provincial Park in Ontario every
summer and at times in the spring and fall for over 40 years. It is a home away
from home and holds a lot of great memories as a kid and an adult.
It has gone through a lot of changes
over those years, as you would imagine, some for the better and some for the
worse. I could write a book on these changes but will try to keep my thoughts
as brief as possible.
It still remains a great park for
camping with good sites however the CAMIS reservation system is not the best online.
I spoke with many campers who are dissatisfied with how it works now and what
appeared to be very slow servers. Twice while booking sites I was kicked off 3
or 4 steps into reserving the site and lost the site I wanted. I never had this
issue in the past. I hope they upgrade before next winters reservation period.
For some reason, maybe to save on fuel
costs, the park workers weren’t cutting the grass as often as they should prior to the lack of rain when it was growing a lot. Plus,
there are a lot of areas that used to be kept cut that no longer are and this
looks dreadful. I'm sure it has something to do with the naturalists wanting to
keep the park a more natural setting. It just looks like they're lazy or too
cheap to cut the grass the way it used to be. I’d say it makes it harder to
spot the deer but that’s another story.
The main roads in the campground need to be
paved or resurfaced properly right away. Not only have they been patched over
and over and are very bumpy but the dust kicked up by passing cars is
disgusting and an absolute disgrace. Anyone camped on the side of the road where the dust is blowing
towards is constantly eating the dirt, having to clean their vehicles and must
keep their tents and trailers closed up tight to avoid having everything
covered in grit.
This has been like this for many years
and so far the best solution the park staff have come up with is to pour a
little water on the roads to try and keep the dust down but this happens
infrequently and does little to solve the problem. Campers will even walk back
and forth with jugs of water and will wet the road themselves for some relief.
Not exactly what these paying customers had in mind for an activity when they
booked their vacation.
For the amount of money that is spent in
the park each year you would think they could afford to properly pave the
roads most in need. At the very least, pave the main roads around High Bluff and Trails End
where the problem is the worst. Use recycled asphalt on the other campground
roads. But it seems the powers that be would rather stay under budget and
continue to find temporary and cheap solutions that really aren't solutions at all.
One nice change recently was the
addition of newly built comfort stations on High Bluff, The Pines and the
Maples campgrounds. Although I guess they couldn't afford to put hot water into
the Pines washroom. Now they just need to build one more with showers near
Trails End.
I'd also suggest that as every camper
registers upon entry, they be given not just the park newspaper that contains
the rules but a separate piece of paper with five or six of the main rules that
are constantly being broken. Among those are people cutting through campsites
not their own and washing dishes at the fresh water taps where people get their
drinking water.
And speaking of drinking water, what
does the health inspector think about the dumping station being located only a
few metres from the fresh water tap. While one camper dumps their septic tanks,
another is filling their holding tank with drinking water. It would be a smart
idea to move the location of the drinking water across the road where trailers
could fill up with water in a much healthier location. Plus with the tanks
being on different sides of the trailers they could set up the new water
filling station so trailers could fill up on either side.
Finally, the biggest safety issue in the
park is the speeding. How a child hasn't been killed or injured is just luck.
The speed limit in the campground is 20 Km/h yet it is not uncommon to see cars
doing 40-60 Km/h at times in the camp area. Campers can often be heard yelling
at the speeders to slow down but if the security would set up on foot and catch
and fine a few each weekend, it would go a long way towards solving that problem. It
wouldn't take long to nab a few and they're easy to spot. You can see their
dust flying from some distance down the road.
I know to some this all might sound like
nitpicking but the back of every campers registration card that goes in the
post at the campsite has a place where suggestions can be added and turned in.
I have a sneaky suspicion that a lot of those cards are either ignored or just
filed and forgotten. This might be a little more public and harder to ignore.
I agree that the campground roads need attention (grading, not paving). As for grass cutting, I fully support the decision to stop cutting unnecessarily. After all, Presqu'ile IS a natural environment park.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Anonymous.
DeleteI don't think grading will work. They've done that in the past and it doesn't solve the issue of the dust and dirt and any holes are easier to fill with asphalt once the road is paved. Other parks have paved campground roads and they can't possibly make more money than Presqu'ile.
I realize the park is designated as a "natural environment" but the areas that used to be cut that no longer are do nothing to increase the natural environment. Cutting that grass back to where it used to be will not detract from the natural setting.
When I think back to how well maintained the park used to be back in the 80's compared to now, it's rather depressing how they've let it go.
It is wonderful that you have supported Presqu'ile for so many years and that you really do seem concerned with improving the park, however I would like to touch upon some of your complaints:
ReplyDelete1. Re: grass cutting - The majority of the park's seasonal employees are students, and in maintenance most of the contracts are only 2 months long. Most students don't even start until the end of June, when the park begins to become busy. This is also roughly when the dry spell began. I'm guessing they just didn't have a whole lot of people working yet and simply couldn't cut grass every day, I mean there is a LOT of grass at Presqu'ile.
2. Re: dusty roads - It's not just water that they put on the roads, it's a calcium chloride solution. "Calcium chloride attracts moisture from the air, keeping the road damp even under hot, dry conditions. The moisture film provides a cohesive force that binds aggregate particles together, resulting in a hard and compact surface." (http://www.peterschemical.com/dust-control)It's also just been a particularly dry summer, so naturally it will be dusty no matter how much effort they put into those roads.
3. Re: road paving - Provincial parks are not a lucrative business. They don't really make money, money is spent to operate them and it's expected that they won't get a good deal of that money back. I'm pretty sure the budget is determined by the Ministry of Natural Resources or a much higher power, Presqu'ile has to make do with what they've been given each year. Which, in fact, is becoming a lesser amount all the time: the MNR recently implemented a "transformation plan" which is going to further reduce Presqu'ile's funding, and take away positions and vehicles. Hard to put the money into road paving when it's just not there to begin with.
Also, I feel that paving the roads in the campgrounds would only encourage speeding - no potholes, no reason to go slow.
4. Re: comfort stations - High Bluff, Maples, and Hidden Valley all have plenty of showers. Trail's End really doesn't need it's own comfort station (now that would be an expense, especially on the reduced budget). People are there to CAMP, after all (I thought that implied no showering haha); if you want to be near a shower then don't camp in Trail's End, problem solved.
5. Re: park rules - People cutting through other's campsites and just generally being obnoxious isn't really Presqui'le's problem. There will always be ignorant or obnoxious people wherever you go, I'm not sure that handing out a flyer reminding people not to be rude is going to change anything. They've either got common courtesy, or they don't.
6. Re: speeding - The Presqu'ile wardens don't have radar guns, I feel that would make it harder to nab speeders.. Plus the park has SO much land, the wardens just can't be everywhere all the time to catch the speeders, there's usually only one or two on duty at any given time.
Finally, the suggestion/comment cards DO get read, trust me. Sorry for my rant, I just felt the need to clarify some things.
As you didn't leave your name I don't know who you are but I have a distinct feeling you have some affiliation to the park. If I'm wrong in this assumption, please feel free to respond and let me know.
DeleteAllow me to go through each of your points and respond.
1. The grass cutting complaint I have lately isn't so much about the frequency the grounds are cut but where they've chosen not to cut. Areas that were kept cut and looking neat are not being looked after anymore. In fact, wooden stakes have been placed in the ground as a way to ensure the mowers don't infringe on these areas. I fail to see the point of doing this. There was very little to be gained other than to perhaps save a few dollars on gas.
2. I am aware they have used Calcium in the past and this year as well but they use it sparingly and it makes for a mess of another kind on the roads and vehicles. I have been a witness to the goings on in the Park and know full well what takes place. This isn't a problem of dust just this year alone. This has been an issue for many years now and these temporary fixes continue to be a complete joke to be honest.
3. Regarding road paving, you will never sway me on this. The money has been there in the past and I know other park superintendents have gone over budget to get the necessary work done in their parks. I have a sneaky suspicion that in recent years Presqu'ile's Superintendent made a point of staying under budget and probably gave money back. That likely leads to a decrease in future budgets. The bottom line is they can solve all of the dirt and dust issues by resurfacing the roads.
As for the speeding...just take some time to sit at the end of the High Bluff road some weekend and you'll see that they already speed in there. Paving the roads will not change that. Only the wardens can change that.
4. I believe there are plans or were plans at one time to have a comfort station near Trails End. With the addition of Hydro to that camping area a couple of years ago, there's no reason why they couldn't make this happen and extend the existing water and sewage lines. As for the showers, I'm guessing you've never had to stand in line waiting for a shower to come open. Don't forget, when the Group Campground is full, a lot of those campers come into the main camping area and use the showers as well. The lineups can be quite the sight.
5. Rules: In a way, yes, it is Presqu'ile's problem. They are providing a service and when other people infringe on the enjoyment of other campers it is an issue that should be dealt with by security. But a simple reminder placed into the hands of arriving campers that is easy to read and hard to ignore may help to remind people of how to act and respect other campers.
6. Speeding: Wardens are responsible for the safety of the parks patrons. This includes slowing down the speeders. Don't make excuses for the wardens. If they spent less time visiting the girls in the office and more time slowing people down, the park would be a much safer and enjoyable place. I should also add that quite often the wardens travel the roads with a heavy foot as well. Perhaps they don't know the speed limits or just don't care. I'll leave the wardens alone beyond that.
If the suggestion cards do get read, that's probably about all that happens with them.
Thanks again for your response and for taking the time to read my blog.
Upon first reading your blog post, I was already surprised by the unwarranted assumptions and petty stabs at park employees. However, now that I have continued to follow the comments and replies relating to the original post, I feel compelled to offer my two cents.
ReplyDeleteI think that what this really comes down to Mr. Kennedy is money; and your clear lack of an understanding for budgets. For example, paving all of the park's roads is a task which would take up the entirety of Presqu'ile's annual budget. Basically, there would be no money left for cutting grass, for campsite clean-up, for beach maintenance, and so on and so forth. Further more, the park's budget is not as greatly influenced by the Superintendent as you seem to think. The ministry calls the shots and the park has to work with what is given to them. If you would like to camp in an all paved park may I suggest a KOA.
In terms of the grassy areas that have been roped of for further regeneration, please refer back to the comment by Anonymous stating that Presqu'ile is a NATURAL ENVIRONMENT park. Though you do not feel that the areas greatly increase the natural environment, I sense from your comments and by reading your profile that you do not venture often into the Day Use areas; which have been significantly altered by the regeneration project. Also, small increases in habitat allow for great increases in natural plant and insect species.
When it comes to the most commonly broken park rules, I agree with the second Anonymous post and suggest that campers simply practice common courtesy and respect for one's fellow campers.
Finally, don't for a second undermine the work of the park wardens. Unless you have experienced it yourself I doubt you could empathize with what the warden's must go through on a daily basis. They dedicate their time and their safety to ensure your stay is enjoyable and anxiety free. Practice what you preach and start showing some respect.
Now Mr. Kennedy, as you previously assumed about the other person who commented under Anonymous, I too share an affiliation with the park. I also have actually witnessed some of your visits to our park and am rather fond of your parents and the loyalty they show to Presqu'ile. I would think that after years and years of visiting our park you would be more informed.
Once again, I don't know who you are as you don't want to reveal your true identity. If you believe in what you're saying, then why not stand behind your comments?
DeleteNow, I don't want to turn this into an argument. I have stated what I feel are areas that the park can improve on. If they decide to take my suggestions and give them proper consideration, that's all I can ask. I certainly don't expect miracles.
Having said that, I have reread my original posting and can not identify what you feel are "petty stabs at park employees". I have known many staff members, wardens and superintendents of the park over the years and they are all very friendly, approachable people and I'm sure the current staff are most likely the same. So please be more specific on that point.
Also, please tell me where I stated that I wanted to see all of the park's roads paved. I'm not so foolish to believe that every campground road needs to be paved. I only made mention of the roads on High Bluff and Trails End because they are beyond a shadow of a doubt the most dusty roads I've ever been on in any Provincial Park.
Believe me when I say, I'm not the only person who is bothered by the unhealthy dusty conditions. I'd be happy to compile a lengthy list of campers that I know personally who feel as I do. In fact, it was their comments and complaints that encouraged me to write about these issues in the first place.
If the park has to work with what is given to them in the yearly budget, then I can only hope that before the 2013 camping season arrives, enough money finds its way into the budget to deal with these particular campground roads. If you can't see how bad the situation is then perhaps you need to spend more time in these areas to get a better understanding.
When I saw the stakes go up in the Day Use area and the grass being left to grow, I knew what the reasoning was behind it. That doesn't mean I have to agree with it. I'm a very frequent park user and am entitled to my opinion. I still say there was very little if anything to be gained by what they did.
Something you may not realize (I don't know if you camp or not or just visit the park looking at the birds) but there are a lot of new campers who have no idea what proper camping etiquette entails. How is handing out a piece of paper to arriving campers with the most flagrantly abused rules listed a bad thing? If nothing else it would even serve as a reminder to the more seasoned camping folks.
I know full well what the park Wardens have to deal with. As stated above I have been friends with many wardens over the years. Several years back I even had a Warden on duty by himself ask me to accompany him to a particularly troublesome campsite just to have his back should anything happen. I was happy to be there for him and would gladly do it again if necessary.
I am only suggesting that if the Wardens took some time to slow more drivers down when speeding and that the current crew kept their vehicles at or below the speed limit they would help to make the park even safer and more enjoyable. I don't know where you got the idea that I was against the Wardens. I have plenty of respect for the wardens but they aren't infallible. I'll leave it at that.
Having never worked for the Park I obviously don't know the full ins and outs of what goes on behind the scenes. I do however know what I expect as a paying customer and as I stated in my original post, there are some areas that need attention.
I would like to finish by asking you to please feel free to approach me should you see me in the Park as I would be more than happy to continue this conversation in person. My fingers are getting sore from typing. I'm not looking to be confrontational but rather I'd be willing to have an open, honest and rational conversation. Perhaps we might both learn a thing or two.
Like Mark and his family I have camped at Presqu'ile for many years with my family and enjoy spending time there.
ReplyDeleteI too have spoken with many other campers over the years. A lot of nights around the campfire the discussions have centred around these same topics. These are things that have needed to be addressed for some time. The dusty and bumpy conditions of the camping roads being a real sore spot for me as well.
I believe the Park staff do the best they can with the resources they are given but that doesn't mean campers can't provide ideas and areas that need to be fixed in our opinion. It's only an opinion.
While I agree with most of what Mark has stated, the only issue that needs to be addressed above all others is the roads.
When you're forced to cover your food up, close your windows and for those with breathing issues or an aversion to feeling gritty all the time to stay inside their trailer due to the negative effects of the constant dust storms whipped up by passing cars, common sense tells you it does not make for an enjoyable stay.
This problem has been around for many years and the quick fix solutions of watering the roads and putting down calcium, which is far from a clean solution either, does not solve the problem. If paving is too costly then use recycled asphalt. As long as the dust disappears, that's what is important. The main road running next to the lake in High Bluff is awful. Sandbanks and Bon Echo have paved roads and those aren't KOA parks.
One drive through the campground and you can easily identify many other roads badly in need of work. I refuse to take my RV on some of these roads and will drive the wrong way to avoid them. I spent a lot of money on my home on wheels and take care of it.
I wrote more than I'd planned but I thought it was important for Mark and the powers that be at Presqu'ile to know that many more people feel the same way.
I love spending time in the park camping, birding and relaxing. It is a great vacation spot but there's always room for improvement.
Thanks,
Steve E.
Mark you didn't say a thing hundreds of other people either have said or had filled out the park lot card to address the same problems. I also have been going there for many many years but refuse to go back because of the road conditions an
ReplyDeleted the dust and price. How come Sandbanks got there park paved a few years ago and it is really nice. The new park warden needs to start addressing these concerns now and get this park back to a wonderful place to camp.
Don
DeleteI have been comming to this Park since a was a cild,and have seen many changes over the years and they are not for the good. I will not go to the Beach to swim for it is too dirty and stinks of bird crap. My wife and I love camping here for it is close to home and she still works and can drive a short distance to her job while I can relax. My biggest complaint is the dust and pot holes in the roads. I too will go the wrong way to avoid the holes. I have too much invested in my equipmentto shake it to pieces. There are more people going the wrong way than the right way. The three most popular Parks are Presqu'ile Bon Echo and Sand Banks and their roads are in very good condition. I also travel to Algonquin Mew Lake and they take better care of their roads. I do not like to complain how Presqu'ile is run but I do feel alot of campers feel the same about the condition of the roads. If people would have a little consideration of others they would slow down.
Thanks for listing.