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COVID-19 FAQ

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The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario. Following recent announcements by the Province focused on reducing the spread of COVID-19, the GRCA’s Administration Centre in Cambridge will be closed to the public as of noon on December 24. While most of the GRCA's programs and services have now resumed, some remain limited or suspended at this time. The health, safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and the community remain our highest priority.

The GRCA will continue to monitor the situation and update this FAQ with new or changing information as it becomes available and as quickly as possible. If you have questions that we haven't answered below, please send us an email and we'll do our best to address them in a timely manner. Please note, our social media accounts are not monitored 24/7 and email remains the best way for staff to respond to questions not addressed below.

To stay up-to-date on changes to GRCA programs and services as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic, please subscribe to this page by clicking the "subscribe to this page..." button in the top right corner.

GRCA Programs and Services
This section contains information regarding GRCA programs and services. Click on any of the following links to jump to a specific area:  
Is the GRCA holding regularly scheduled General Membership meetings?  

The regular GRCA General Membership meeting schedule is being maintained. Meetings are held virtually and streamed live on our Board Webcast page. Members of the public are invited to watch the meetings online.

The GRCA board meets monthly, usually on the fourth Friday of the month beginning at 9:30 a.m. The board agendas, reports and minutes are available in our board meeting calendar.
How can I communicate with the GRCA board as a delegation? 
Delegations are encouraged to submit written comments at least eight days prior to the scheduled meeting, in order for their written submission to be included in the published agenda. Written submissions will be received up to 48 hours prior to the meeting. In this case, the comments will be distributed to the board and received at the scheduled meeting; however, they will not be published in the online agenda.If you are unable to submit written comments and would prefer to appear virtually as a delegation, please contact us.
How does the COVID-19 pandemic impact the GRCA's flood forecasting and warning system in the event of flooding? 

The GRCA's flood forecasting and warning system is critical to the safety of watershed residents. The GRCA is maintaining this critical service to the community, and will continue to work with municipal first responders to help protect the lives and property of our watershed residents in the event of flooding.

Please visit our flood forecasting and warning system page to learn more.
Can I still apply for a permit? 

Yes. We continue to accept permit applications through our online permit application system. If you are unsure of how to apply for a permit, please review the information on our website about how to apply for a permit.

If you have any questions about the application process you may contact the appropriate planner for your township or municipality via email. In your email, please include your name, contact information, location and a description of your proposal or your question.
Can I submit paper permit applications? 
Yes. Hard copy permit applications may still be submitted by mail or courier to the GRCA Administration Centre (400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729, Cambridge, ON N1R 5W6).
My permit application has been approved, but the permit has not yet been issued. How can I proceed with my project? 
Please contact the appropriate GRCA planner for your township or municipality via email with your questions. We a re receiving a very high volume of general inquiries and there will be delays in responses. We thank you for your patience.
Is the GRCA continuing to review submissions for Planning Act applications for their municipal partners? 
Yes. We continue to accept circulations and submissions for Planning Act applications. We will provide comments to our municipal partners under our existing Memoranda of Understanding. 
Is the GRCA responding to requests for Title Clearances and other inquiries? 
Yes. Please submit all general inqiries using this form to planning@grandriver.ca. Title Clearance requests should also be sent via email to planning@grandriver.ca. Staff will provide a response and, if required, can advise you on how payment can be made. We a re receiving a very high volume of general inquiries and there will be delays in responses. We thank you for your patience.

Can I volunteer as an individual or group for environmental projects? 

No, not at this time. Please note the GRCA's volunteer program has been temporarily suspended. 
Can I submit a proposal or conduct ecological research on GRCA property, or proceed with an existing permit? 

No, not at this time. All previously approved research permits have been temporarily suspended until further notice.

Please subscribe to this FAQ page for program status updates.
I'm interested in a Rural Water Quality Program (RWQP) project. Are staff available to help me plan? 

Yes. Please submit your request to ruralwater@grandriver.ca or call (519) 621-2763 ext. 2279. In your message, please include your name, contact information, location and a brief description of your project proposal.

A staff member will contact you to discuss your project by phone or email. We are receiving a high volume of inquiries and there will be delays in responses. We thank you for your patience.
Can I still apply for RWQP funding for my project? 

Yes. For a list of eligible projects and grant rates please review the grant information on our website. To submit an application please contact ruralwater@grandriver.ca or call (519) 621-2763 ext. 2279. In your message, please include your name, contact information, location and a brief description of your project proposal. We are receiving a high volume of inquiries and there will be delays in responses. We thank you for your patience.
My approved RWQP project is complete, how do I submit for payment? 

Please contact ruralwater@grandriver.ca or call (519) 621-2763 ext. 2279. Staff will contact you to arrange to submit your documentation to the GRCA in order to process your payment. 
Facilities, Natural Areas and Trails
This section contains information regarding facilities, natural areas and trails. Click on any of the following links to jump to a specific area of interest:
Is the GRCA Administration Centre open?

No. Based on recent announcements by the Province focused on reducing the spread of COVID-19, the GRCA’s Administration Centre in Cambridge will be closed to the public as of noon on December 24. Please connect with us over the phone, by email and through our online permit application system. Most GRCA staff are working remotely at this time.

For deliveries, please proceed directly to the Shipping and Receiving Area. If entering the building, please wear a mask. View the Administration Centre hours of operation.
Which GRCA trails and natural areas are open, and what activities are permitted?

Most GRCA owned and managed trails and natural areas are open for activities such as walking and hiking. There is no winter maintenance of these GRCA properties, including trails and parking lots. The public should be aware that accessing frozen natural water bodies in these areas for activities like ice fishing or ice skating is not permitted. While using these properties, we ask that you:

  • Share the space – plan short visits of 1 hour or less.
  • Abide by government and public health unit restrictions and recommendations.
  • Maintain physical distancing (at least 6 ft or 2.0 m).
  • Keep your pet on a leash.
  • Leave if the trails get too crowded.
  • Only park in designated areas. If parking lots are full or inaccessible, please return at another time.
  • Pack out, what you pack in. Garbage in, garbage out - please take your garbage out with you and dispose of it at home. 
  • Stay off frozen natural water bodies.

Note: Properties may close due to safety concerns, maintenance and construction projects, among other reasons. Closures are published on our Service Disruptions page.
Which GRCA properties are closed?

Some GRCA properties remain closed, including our nature centres and their surrounding properties.

In addition, the GRCA is maintaining the closure of a number of other properties in order to minimize the hazard tree risks presented by the decline of ash trees due to emerald ash borer (EAB). For more information on the properties impacted by these closures please read the news release. Signage is being posted at these properties and people are asked to respect the closures for their own safety.

Properties may close for other reasons, such as public safety, maintenance and construction, among others. Closures are published on our Service Disruptions page.

Members of the public are not permitted on closed properties. Please respect the closures.
Are GRCA nature centres open?
No. All GRCA nature centres and their surrounding property remain closed to the public and all events are cancelled until further notice. Members of the public are not permitted on closed GRCA owned and managed properties until further notice, and those who access these properties are trespassing. 
Are there staff at nature centres to provide outdoor education programming? 
No. At this time, all GRCA nature centres are closed and our outdoor education programs have been temporarily suspended. Please subscribe to this FAQ for program status updates.
I would like to book my child’s birthday party or a program for my group at the nature centre. Can I make a booking? 
No, not at this time. All GRCA nature centres are currently closed and programs have been temporarily suspended. Please subscribe to this FAQ for program status updates. 
I would like to bring my school class to the nature centre. Can I make a booking? 

No. All GRCA nature centres are currently closed and our school programs have been temporarily suspended. We are not confirming bookings for school classes at this time. 

You may submit your program request for the next school year via our Nature Centre Program Request form. A staff member will contact you when the program resumes. Please subscribe to this FAQ for program status updates. 
Grand River Parks
This section contains information regarding Grand River Parks. Click on any of the following links to jump to a specific area of interest:
Which Grand River Parks are open for limited use? Which are closed?

Some Grand River Parks are open for limited recreational activities. (Note: others closed for the season on October 15, 2020 or remain closed in 2020). To view park hours, gatehouse hours, and other information, please visit the park's webpage linked below.

Note: Properties may close due to safety concerns, maintenance and construction projects, among other reasons. Closures are published on our Service Disruptions page.
What can I do in parks that are open?

Some parks closed for the season on October 15, 2020. For parks open year-round, park hours, gatehouse hours and activities are posted on each park's webpage. Should the park be open but the gatehouse closed, please use the self-registration and honour box. Standard entrance fees apply.

Visitors should be aware that parking is limited. Garbage receptacles are available and will be emptied as frequently as possible, but please visit responsibly and if garbage bins are full, take your waste with you and dispose of it at home. Portable washrooms are available in the parks that are currently open.

To help protect both staff and visitors, the GRCA has implemented a number of measures to address overcrowding and promote physical distancing in its parks and facilities. This includes limiting the number of daily visitors and increased patrols. See the "How will I know when a park has reached capacity?" section below.

Visitors must practice physical distancing and are reminded to adhere to provincial guidelines and restrictions. Grand River Parks may be subject to orders in place by the local public health unit. Visitors are required to adhere to all applicable orders in place.
How will I know when a park has reached capacity?

To help you better plan your visits, please check www.grandriver.ca/parkstatus to find out if a park is welcoming visitors or if it has reached its daily capacity. The webpage provides real-time updates regarding the status of each park. 
I pay taxes, don't I have a right to access Grand River Parks and other GRCA properties?

Although it is commonly thought that land owned by the GRCA is public land, the GRCA is, in fact, a private landowner and subject to the same legal obligations as a private landowner. 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. 
How are the GRCA's parks and natural areas different from Ontario Parks and conservation reserves?

Ontario’s provincial park system is operated by our provincial government, while GRCA conservation areas are owned and operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

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 kayak rentals.
How are the GRCA's parks and natural areas different from federal parks?

Canada’s federal park system is operated by the Government of Canada, while GRCA conservation areas are owned and operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Federal parks, operated by the federal 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 kayak rentals.
Can I camp overnight at a Grand River Park?

Not at this time. Please note the camping season ended on October 15, 2020.
Can I still make a reservation for overnight camping this season? 

Not at this time. Please note the camping season ended on October 15, 2020. 
Can I purchase a GRCA membership pass or membership gift card?
Yes. Grand River Parks memberships are available for purchase at gatehouses during gatehouse operating hours, as well as online.
How are current GRCA membership passholders being compensated for the temporary closure of Grand River Parks? 

Grand River Parks membership passes sold prior to June 1, 2020 have been automatically extended for the duration of the closure of our conservation areas. 

Grand River Parks membership pass extensions for GREEN sticker numbers are as follows:

Green sticker #1: Expired

Green sticker #2 - Expired June 1, 2020

Green sticker #3 - Expired July 1, 2020

Green sticker #4 - Expired August 1, 2020

Green sticker #5 - Expired September 1, 2020

Green sticker #6 - Expired October 1, 2020

Green sticker #7 - Expired November 1, 2020

Green sticker #8 - Expired December 1, 2020

Green sticker #9 - Expired January 1, 2021

Green sticker #10 - Expires February 1, 2021

Green sticker #11 - Expires March 1, 2021

Green sticker #12 - Expires April 1, 2021

Grand River Parks membership pass extensions for YELLOW sticker numbers are as follows:

Yellow sticker #1 - Expires May 1, 2021

Yellow sticker #2 - Expires June 1, 2021

Yellow sticker #3 - Expires July 1, 2021

 

 

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