GRCA – Update on Ganaraska Forest Closure

Due to ongoing safety concerns, and evolving salvage and harvesting locations in the Ganaraska Forest, the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) will be limiting trail access to Forest users with current and extended memberships only for the September 30th opening and until further notice.

The GRCA is committed to offering multi-use, recreational trails and are working hard to recover as many as possible. It is important to note there are still many impassable trails, having been deemed unsafe for recreational activities, after severe wind damage in late May 2022.

Beginning September 30, 2022, designated trails in the Ganaraska Forest will be open to all recreational uses, until motorized access ends for the season on November 30th. However, in certain areas of the East Forest, only non-motorized use will be permitted. A map of designated trails will be available before September 30th.

Trail usage continues to be impacted by a higher than normal volume of logging operations (annual harvest and storm salvage). Progress has been made but, out of an abundance of caution, the GRCA feels limiting trail users to members only will allow ongoing efforts to safely continue, while also providing some access to Ganaraska Forest Members.

The GRCA would like to thank you for your continued cooperation, understanding and patience as crews continue their work to make the trails safe throughout the forest. Please continue to follow Ganaraska Conservation on Facebook or visit www.grca.on.ca for further updates.

The GRCA values our Forest Members and Ganaraska Forest memberships will be extended as follows:

• Ganaraska Forest memberships (except for cross country ski memberships) purchased between June 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022 will receive an automatic 1 year extension.
• Ganaraska Forest cross country ski memberships expiring during the closure (between May 21, 2022 and the reopening date) will receive a 6-month hiking membership.
• Upon expiry, Ganaraska Forest memberships will be automatically renewed for a year and an email notification will be sent. Once the Ganaraska Forest is opened, a 6-month hiking membership will be automatically issued to cross country ski members and an email notification will be sent.

Additional information:

• The extent and locations of over 250 hectares (600 acres) of tree blowdown have impacted and in some locations are still impacting main trail access points and systems throughout the Ganaraska Forest.
• Salvage and regular harvest operations are well underway across the West and Central Forests. Harvesting and storm salvage are important restoration tools within the Ganaraska Forest by reducing the risk of fire and introduction of pests.
• The East Forest will remain closed until September 30th, as it does not have the capacity / parking areas to support an abundance of users.
• Annual harvesting and storm salvage follow provincial, ‘Good Forest Management’ practices and specific needs of the Ganaraska Forest. Only trees and areas requiring harvesting are taken.
• Trail recovery will continue after September 30th, and additional trails will be opened for use once they are deemed safe by GRCA staff.