Lots of signs of spring at Ontario Parks – some in the north too!

JIM FOX, SPECIAL TO QMI AGENCY

Mar 31, 2015

, Last Updated: 11:43 AM ET

You know it’s spring in Ontario Parks when you discover these 10 signs.

Lori Waldbrook of Ontario Parks has put together this list, starting with seeing moose that are salt-depleted by the end of winter.

They head to roadside ditches to lick up road salt especially along Highway 60 in Algonquin Provincial Park.

Then there’s hearing the great horned and eastern screech owls and seeing mourning cloak butterflies in forests on sunny days and spotting spring tails, tiny insects that look like black powder on patches of snow and downed wood.

Listen for a chorus of spring peepers – tiny frogs on warm evenings – seeing the sap flow and turning into maple syrup, hearing the chickadees sing and the tundra swans return en route to the Arctic.

You can see buds forming on trees during a spring park hike and see experienced paddlers on an ice-out adventure with higher water levels that allow them to explore areas not accessible by canoe or kayak in the summer.

More details on the Ontario Parks blog.

Full Article Here http://www.canoe.ca/Travel/Canada/2015/03/31/22318891.html

Ontario Endorses Northern Ontario Experiences – Trailhead North

Explore the Possibilities in Northern Ontario

Explore the Possibilities in Northern Ontario (CNW Group/Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation)

Tourism Experiences Promoted for the 2015 Season

TORONTO, March 5, 2015 /CNW/ – There is no better time than now to explore the great outdoors and tourism experiences in Northern Ontario. Through its current marketing campaign, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) is encouraging visitors to “Explore the Possibilities in Northern Ontario” in 2015.

Working with tourism partners from Northern Ontario, the OTMPC campaign shares the endless, unique and awe-inspiring opportunities available in the North. A key piece of the marketing campaign is the distribution of 810,000 copies of the new Explore the Possibilities in Northern Ontario magazine. The magazine contains a distinctive ‘flip-the-book’ feature with half of the publication dedicated to activities across Northern Ontario’s regions and half dedicated to specific avid experiences such as angling, hunting, power sports touring and outdoor adventures.

The campaign is targeted at visitors from across Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and the United States. Northern Ontariowill be prominently featured at trade and consumer shows focussed on activities popular in the north such as fresh-water fishing, kayaking adventures and motorcycle touring. Urban areas of the North are providing travellers with ideas: visitors can enjoy a boat ride with beautiful scenery during the day, followed by a delicious culinary dinner and festival concert in the evening.

The magazine will also be directly distributed over the next few months to outdoor enthusiast subscribers of magazines such as Outdoor Canada, Maclean’s, Our Canada and National Geographic Traveler (U.S.).

Tourists are encouraged to visit www.ontariotravel.net/north to obtain more information on Northern Ontario tourism experiences and packages.

QUOTES
“With its stunning landscapes and unique tourist attractions, Northern Ontario has long been a special destination for those who have visited. We are lucky to live in a great province with so many cultural, historic and eco experiences at our fingertips and I encourage everyone to enjoy them all. Consider choosing Northern Ontario for your next adventure – it’s closer than you think.”
— Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“The North is truly one of Ontario’s gems. The beauty of the landscape and the experiences both indoors and outdoors will have visitors raving when they return home. OTMPC is pleased to partner with tourism stakeholders to share all the possibilities that Northern Ontario has to offer.”
Ronald Holgerson, President and CEO, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

Northern Ontario is front and centre with the new campaign launched by the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation. Great outdoor products, cities, towns and attractions are all captured through thoughtful stories about why everyone should visit this part of our province. From fantastic fishing and hunting, touring experiences that are second to none and, of course, our nature and adventure product, the campaign is sure to entice travellers to the North.”
Carol Caputo, Chair, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation Northern Tourism Marketing Committee

Northern Ontario is a vast and inviting region with a diverse and dynamic tourism economy. We are so pleased to have the opportunity to work with OTMPC and our sub-regional partners on this important campaign featuring the Northern experiences that resonate with consumers.”
David MacLachlan, Executive Director, Tourism Northern Ontario

“The best thing about the famous Canadian wilderness is that it’s closer than you think. Just two hours north ofToronto, you will find some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the nation, from iconic Algonquin Park in the east to sparkling Georgian Bay in the west. Head to the Explorers’ Edge region of Ontario to experience this province’s seriously great outdoors in a thousand spectacular ways.”
James Murphy, Executive Director, Explorers’ Edge

QUICK FACTS

  • Visitors can obtain Explore the Possibilities in Northern Ontario magazine from an Ontario Travel Information Centre, by calling 1-800-ONTARIO, at SAIL stores throughout Ontario and by download.
  • To jointly market the North, OTMPC works in partnership with Regional Tourism Organizations (RTO) Tourism Northern Ontario and Explorers’ Edge, and Northern Destination Marketing Organizations.
  • Visitors are encouraged to share their Ontario tourism experience on Twitter using the hashtag #DiscoverON.
  • Tourism is an important economic driver. 2012 figures indicate that tourism supported over 359,400 jobs and generated$28 billion for Ontario’s economy.
  • Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation is an agency of the Government of Ontario with a vision to positionOntario as a preferred global destination.

LEARN MORE

  • Learn more about Northern Ontario adventures and experiences.
  • Enter the Great Canadian Boreal Forest Adventure Contest.
  • Learn more about OTMPC, its programs and partnership opportunities.

If you do not wish to receive electronic messages regarding OTMPC news, please e-mail otmpc.news@ontario.caindicating “unsubscribe”.

SOURCE Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

Image with caption: “Explore the Possibilities in Northern Ontario (CNW Group/Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation)”. Image available at:http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150305_C4345_PHOTO_EN_12867.jpg

For further information: Lydia McCourt, Corporate Communications Manager, OTMPC, 416-314-6590,lydia.mccourt@ontario.ca, 10 Dundas Street East, Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario M7A 2A1

Lot’s of great parks north or south!

How to explore the great outdoors at Ontario Parks this winter

QMI Agency writer Jim Fox.

By Jim Fox, Special to QMI Agency

Skiers stay warm in a yurt at Algonquin Provincial Park. (Ontario Parks photo)

Skiers stay warm in a yurt at Algonquin Provincial Park. (Ontario Parks photo)

Once winter weather finally arrives and sticks around, Ontario provincial parks are ready for the challenge.

“Summer campers love Ontario Parks, but many have never experienced their favourite park in winter,” said Lori Waldbrook, senior marketing specialist.

Nineteen provincial parks are open with cross-country ski trails while 13 have groomed or track-set trails and eight offer comfortable roofed accommodation.

There are designated snowshoe trails in many parks and some have skating and tubing, too. Three parks will host ski loppets, another will have an annual snowshoe race and at least five plan to mark Family Day weekend next month with special events.

More…….from published article

Learn about Ignace Trails. A Trailhead North Partner!

Lily Pad Lake Trails

outdoor winter activities

Lily Pad Lake Trails, located near gimak Beach offer three kilometers of trail surrounding Lily Pad Lake. The trails are well maintained and provide excellent chances to view birds and wildlife. For trail maps or to find out more about Lily Pad Lake visit the Ignace Tourist Information Centre.