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No, they're not.
If you ordered the FREE 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass in celebration of our country's 150th anniversary, you'll have an incredible time exploring Canada's national park system.
Before you hang that pass on the mirror and head out to explore the many natural wonders that our country has to offer, you should know the difference between our national parks and the many great parks within the Grand River watershed.
Only Parks Canada national parks are offering free day-use admission this year.
While we are very proud that our parks were some of the first official conservation authority parks in Canada, they aren't considered national parks. In fact, our parks within the Grand River watershed are really quite different than those Parks Canada offers.
National parks offered by Parks Canada are easily recognized by the logo that greets you at the entrance to their parks:
When you arrive at a Grand River Park, you'll see the Grand River Conservation Authority logo:
Would you believe there aren't ANY national parks within the watershed? In fact, the closest national park to the centre of the Grand River watershed is more than 2.5 hours away.
There are five Parks Canada national parks in Ontario*:
*The free 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass is also accepted at National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites.
We do in fact offer a membership pass that will provide you and up to 6 vehicle passengers with access to any of our 11 active parks within the Grand River watershed.
The Grand River Parks Membership comes with vouchers for exclusive rewards and freebies valued at over $65. Use the vouchers for your favourite activity or try something new.
Canada's national parks system is operated by our federal government, while the Grand River Parks are owned and operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.
Federal parks operated by Parks Canada, and even Ontario Parks operated by the provincial government, receive tax dollars to provide the access and services they do to visitors. Grand River Parks receive no tax dollars and operate only on the funds they receive through gate access fees, camping revenue, and pay-for-use items like canoe and tubing rentals.
The revenue we receive keep our parks open and operating each season. During busy park seasons, we may end up with a surplus of revenue. These funds go into a park reserve fund. This fund is used to help reinvest in capital infrastructure at our parks which enhance our visitor experience.
Millions of Canadians have received their 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass already. We believe that this opportunity will encourage many Canadians to get back to nature and explore the many natural wonders beyond their own backyard this year.
For those who may visit a Grand River Park for the first time this season, or those who may be coming back to us for a return visit, we don't want you to be frustrated because we don't accept the Discovery Pass.
Please take the time to share this post with your friends and relatives. Remind them that the Parks Canada Discovery Pass is only good for day-use access at Canada's national parks and not at Grand River Parks.