Proposed adjustments to campgrounds at Pinery Provincial Park have sparked apprehensions, as critics allege that the province quietly introduced a draft management plan, leaving minimal time for public input. However, proponents argue that the updates to the park’s management strategy are crucial for safeguarding the delicate ecosystem within one of Ontario’s most frequented provincial parks.
Jeff Schlemmer, a resident of St. Thomas, was taken aback when he noticed alterations during his spring camping trip, finding numerous campsites in his beloved park section demolished. Schlemmer, a Pinery regular since the 1950s who now brings his grandchildren along, was emotional upon witnessing the leveled sites and missing amenities.
The revelation prompted Schlemmer to delve into the matter, leading him to the Environmental Registry of Ontario website, where he stumbled upon the proposed management plan. Among the proposed changes was the “Rewilding Burley” initiative, aimed at supporting the restoration of Burley Campground.
According to the plan, campsites and related infrastructure may be closed or removed if their usage jeopardizes the park’s ecological balance. The amendments also entail zoning adjustments regarding sewage treatment infrastructure, addressing environmental challenges, and potential addition of new sites in previously disturbed areas.
Burley Campground, one of the three camping zones at Pinery Provincial Park, boasts 302 campsites along with essential facilities. The province clarified that 52 campsites were eliminated after the 2025 season, with no further reductions planned, and efforts are underway to relocate some of the removed sites within the park.
The significance of Burley Campground lies in its small “interdunal wet meadows,” recognized as provincially and nationally important habitats. Conservationists have stressed the need for the province to balance recreational activities with the preservation of the park’s sensitive ecosystem.
In response to concerns raised by Schlemmer and others, officials stated that feedback received before the August 17 deadline, in addition to input from Indigenous communities and local stakeholders, would be considered. The ministry did not disclose the number of closed campsites in Burley Campground or the extent of public consultation preceding the proposal’s release.
Conservative MPP Steve Pinsonneault, representing Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, highlighted the inquiries from park visitors and residents regarding the proposed changes. He emphasized the importance of transparency and public engagement in the park’s long-term management, encompassing environmental conservation, recreation, and visitor accessibility.