COVID-19 FAQ

The regular GRCA General Membership meeting schedule is being maintained; however, meetings will be 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.

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.

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.

There will be a delay in processing your application as GRCA staff are conducting very limited in-person site inspections at this time. 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.

• Wetland, watercourse and other natural hazard mapping and ecological data is available on the Grand River Information Network (GRIN)
• Ecological data is available to the public through our data download tool at https://data.grandriver.ca/downloads.html
• For fisheries and general ecological data, contact the local office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• For species at risk information, visit the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
• For federally listed aquatic species at risk mapping, visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• For rare, threatened and endangered species and spaces in Ontario, please visit  Ontario’s Natural Heritage Information Centre
• Other general ecological information may be found on iNaturalist or eBird.

Who can I contact about injured or nesting turtles?

The GRCA is not a wildlife rescue or wildlife rehabilitation agency. If you are looking for information on turtles or other wildlife, please check the following resources:

• If you have questions about turtles or what to do if you find a turtle nesting or crossing the road, visit the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre website.

• If you find a nest that is at risk from human impacts — mark next to the site with a flag or other marker and report the nest to rare at 519-650-9336.

• If you find an injured turtle, call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Hotline immediately at 705-741-5000. Visit their website for more information on handling an injured turtle.

We are receiving many questions about the higher than usual infestations of gypsy moths this year. The GRCA does not manage forest health on private property. The spraying that was undertaken by the GRCA this spring was to control gypsy moth impacts on GRCA properties. A number of municipalities have also done spraying to control gypsy moth on municipal properties and municipal street trees.

Please contact your local garden centre or check the following resources where you will find some good suggestions for what you can do to try to manage pests on your property.

• Landowners can report and find options for gypsy moth control on Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program website.
• The Town of Pelham's website has a very good resource page for homeowners including a list of contractors that can be contacted for spraying.
• The City of Toronto's website is another source of information.

The GRCA manages the control and mitigation of the impact of garlic mustard, giant hogweed, emerald ash borer and other invasive pests on the lands and forests that the GRCA owns. There are a number of online resources to help landowners learn more about control options on your property:

• Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program website or call the Invading Species Hotline 1-800-563-7711
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry website includes the following resources to help identify, manage or control invasive species:
  • Invading Species Awareness Program
  • Invasive Species Centre
  • Ontario Invasive Plant Council
  • Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association 

Concerns related to reservoirs and property owned and managed by the GRCA should be shared via email or by calling 1-866-900-4722.

Fish die-offs, spills and other water quality concerns not on GRCA property should be directed to the Ontario Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.

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.

Rules and regulations for recreational fishing are determined by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.The 2020 Fishing Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary is available online. 

The Grand River watershed is within Fisheries Management Zone 16, with the exception of the Grand River from Dunnville Dam to Lake Erie, which is within Fisheries Management Zone 19.

No. New orders for trees to be delivered this fall are not available. On October 1, 2020 our new tree availability list will be posted for spring 2021.

Reservations for tree orders are accepted annually between October 1 and the end of March.

Yes. If your property is over 5 acres and you’re interested in a large scale planting project we would be happy to add you to our waitlist for a future tree planting project. Please contact us at trees@grandriver.ca to make this request.

No. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GRCA operations have been reduced to critical services only, and the RWQP program has been temporarily suspended. Staff are not available at this time to help you plan your project.

To be placed on a wait list to be contacted by staff to discuss your project, please submit your request to ruralwater@grandriver.ca. A staff member will contact you when the program resumes.

No. We are not accepting new applications at this time. However, you can submit your contact information and the type of project you are planning to ruralwater@grandriver.ca.

Please subscribe to this page for program status updates. A staff member will contact you when the program resumes.

Yes. Funding commitments to Rural Water Quality Program projects will be processed for all projects completed as per the terms of your approval.

If you are unable to complete your project, please contact ruralwater@grandriver.ca.

Please contact ruralwater@grandriver.ca or call (519) 621-2763 ext. 2235 to provide your contact information and project description. Staff will contact you to make arrangements to submit your documentation to the GRCA in order to process your payment.  

Once we have received your supporting documentation, we will process your payment. Please contact ruralwater@grandriver.ca or call (519) 621-2763 ext. 2235 to make arrangements to submit your documentation. 

As the GRCA Administration Centre is currently closed, payments may be delayed. We will work as quickly as possible to process payments and thank you for your patience.

At this time, program delivery has been suspended/postponed. A staff member will contact you when the program resumes.

No. The GRCA Administration Centre and a number of other GRCA facilities remain closed until further notice.

GRCA staff are working remotely where possible. We will continue to serve the community as best as possible over the phone, by email and through our online permit application system, however response times may be longer than usual.

Most GRCA owned and managed trails and natural areas are now open. 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.
• Use open trails that are close to your home if possible.
• Only park in designated areas. If parking lots are full, 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. 

Most GRCA owned and managed trails and natural areas are now open. 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.

Members of the public are not permitted on closed properties until they re-open. Please respect the closures, and follow the advice of our municipal, provincial and federal governments.

The GRCA has developed a plan to reopen our properties since provincial government restrictions were put in place. However, government restrictions and a reduction of our operations to critical services only have, until recently, prevented GRCA staff from conducting work to prepare and/or maintain these properties for public use.

As the government eases restrictions, staff are carrying out this work as capacity allows and in priority sequence.  

We are reopening our properties in stages. As restrictions ease, there are a number of things that must be addressed prior to reopening GRCA owned and managed trails and natural areas that are still closed to the public in order to ensure the safety of both our staff and the community.

The GRCA has a legal obligation to ensure the safety of both our staff and those who access our properties when permitted. Government restrictions and a reduction of our operations to critical services only have, until recently, prevented GRCA staff from conducting work to prepare and/or maintain these properties for public use. As the government eases restrictions, staff are carrying out this work as capacity allows and in priority sequence. GRCA staff are now inspecting and preparing many of our properties to reopen in accordance with provincial government directives where we are able, and as quickly as possible. We thank you for your patience while we undertake this important work.

Please respect all remaining closures for the safety of our staff and the community.

The GRCA has cancelled its day camp programs for the summer of 2020. All registrants affected by cancelled programming will be receiving a full refund in the coming weeks, and are being contacted directly.

Why has the GRCA cancelled summer day camps when the Province has indicated that summer camps may proceed in July with significant restrictions?

On June 2, 2020, the provincial government released its public health guidelines for the safe operation of day camps in Ontario. The GRCA’s day camp programs were developed pre-pandemic, and include large gatherings both indoor and outdoor, as well as in-person interactive activities.

The health and safety of our staff and campers remain our highest priority and the restrictions would significantly impact our ability to deliver quality day camp programs in the current COVID-19 environment. The GRCA has a low threshold for risk when it comes to the safety of our campers and staff. We feel that erring on the side of health and safety is the right decision, given the style of programming that we are known for.

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. 

Boat launches are available at GRCA conservation areas that have been reopened. In addition, docks have been installed and are ready for those who wish to canoe and kayak in open conservation areas. Boating and fishing are now permitted in conservation areas that have been reopened. Canoe and kayak rentals are not available. 

The GRCA does not oversee recreational activities such as paddling or fishing on local waterways, for example, the Grand River. Rules and regulations for recreational fishing are determined by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The 2020 Fishing Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary is available online. 

The Grand River watershed is within Fisheries Management Zone 16, with the exception of the Grand River from Dunnville Dam to Lake Erie, which is within Fisheries Management Zone 19.

Information on river access points can be found here. Access points maintained by the GRCA are now open. Where a municipality maintains the access point, please contact the appropriate municipality if you have questions about access and restrictions in place.

The following Grand River Parks are open for limited recreational activities:

• Brant Conservation Area
• Byng Island Conservation Area
• Conestogo Lake Conservation Area
• Laurel Creek Conservation Area
• Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area
• Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area
• Shade's Mills Conservation Area
• Belwood Lake Conservation Area
• Elora Gorge Conservation Area
• Guelph Lake Conservation Area
• Rockwood Conservation Area

These areas will be open between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily; gatehouses are open from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Please note the following closures and disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Closed for 2020

• the Elora Quarry Conservation Area
• the splash pad at Elora Gorge Conservation Area
• boat, canoe and kayak rentals at all conservation areas
• swimming pools at Brant and Byng Island conservation areas
• overnight camping at Conestogo Lake and Laurel Creek conservation areas
• all showers and change rooms
• washrooms in seasonal camping areas
• all pavilions, picnic shelters and other group facilities
• all food concession stands
• group camping
• the Learn to Fish program
• the fishing equipment rental program and the life jacket loaner program

Additional recreational activities are now available in most parks. Some of these activities include hiking, boating and fishing. Beaches and some washroom facilities in day use areas only have now reopened. Some washrooms are also available in overnight camping areas.

Gatehouses are now open from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily. Standard entrance fees apply.

To help protect both staff and visitors, the GRCA will be implementing a number of measures to address overcrowding and promote physical distancing in its parks and facilities. This may include limiting the number of daily visitors and increased patrols.

Visitors should be aware that parking is limited, and while garbage receptacles are now available and will be emptied as frequently as possible, people are reminded to visit responsibly and if garbage bins are full, to take their waste with them and dispose of it at home

Visitors must practice physical distancing and will not be permitted to gather in groups. These restrictions will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.

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.

We have launched a new tool to provide guests visiting Grand River Parks for the day with real-time information about the capacity at our parks, helping you better plan your visits.

Visitors can now check www.grandriver.ca/parkstatus to find out if a park is welcoming visitors or if it has reached its daily capacity. The site provides real-time updates regarding the status of each park. 

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. 

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.

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.

Select Grand River Parks including Brant, Byng Island, Elora Gorge, Guelph Lake, Pinehurst Lake and Rockwood conservation areas offer limited overnight camping. Walk-up reservations at these parks are not permitted.

Conestogo Lake and Laurel Creek conservation areas will not offer overnight camping in 2020. Campers who have made reservations at these two parks will be contacted directly regarding refunds.

The GRCA camping reservation system is open for online reservations only. The call centre is not available for reservations. Walk-up reservations at our parks are not permitted.

Conestogo Lake and Laurel Creek conservation areas will not offer overnight camping in 2020. Campers who have made reservations at these two parks will be contacted directly regarding refunds.

Existing campsite reservations for overnight camping beginning July 10 are still considered active unless you have been contacted directly regarding your booking. No further action is required if you have an active reservation.

Conestogo Lake and Laurel Creek conservation areas will not offer overnight camping in 2020. Campers who have made reservations at these two parks will be contacted directly regarding refunds.

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 - Expires: June 1, 2020

Green sticker #3 - Expires: July 1, 2020

Green sticker #4 - Expires: August 1, 2020

Green sticker #5 - Expires: September 1, 2020

Green sticker #6 - Expires: October 1, 2020

Green sticker #7 - Expires: November 1, 2020

Green sticker #8 - Expires: December 1, 2020

Green sticker #9 - Expires: 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