Proposed alterations to campsites at Pinery Provincial Park have sparked concerns, with critics alleging that the province quietly unveiled a draft management plan, giving the public limited time to offer input. On the other hand, some argue that updates to the park’s management plan will safeguard 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 changes during his spring camping trip at the park. Numerous campsites in his preferred area had been removed, leaving the site unrecognizable. Schlemmer, who has been visiting Pinery since the 1950s and now brings his grandchildren, was emotional upon witnessing the alterations.
The discovery prompted Schlemmer to investigate further, leading him to the Environmental Registry of Ontario website, where he stumbled upon the proposed management plan. One specific proposal that caught his attention was the “Rewilding Burley” initiative aimed at supporting the restoration of Burley Campground.
According to the plan, campsites and associated infrastructure may be closed or removed if their use negatively impacts the park’s ecological integrity. The proposed amendments also address zoning changes related to sewage treatment infrastructure and detail the environmental challenges faced by the park and how they will be handled. Additionally, new campsites or accommodations might be introduced in previously disturbed areas.
Burley Campground, one of three camping areas at Pinery Provincial Park, houses 302 campsites, washrooms, showers, laundromats, centralized garbage collection, and a registration office. The province confirmed the removal of 52 campsites after the 2025 season, with no further reduction planned, and efforts are underway to relocate some of the dismantled sites within the park.
The significance of Burley Campground lies in its small “interdunal wet meadows,” which are considered provincially and nationally important. These meadows, influenced by localized microclimates, dune slopes, and groundwater conditions, are rare in North America and are only found in Canada along the Lake Huron shoreline between Grand Bend and Kettle Point.
In response to concerns raised by Schlemmer and others, officials stated that comments submitted by August 17 would be evaluated alongside feedback from Indigenous communities and local stakeholders. However, specific details regarding the closure of campsites in Burley Campground and the extent of public consultation prior to the proposal’s release were not disclosed.
Conservative MPP Steve Pinsonneault, representing Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, noted that the proposed changes have sparked inquiries from park users and local residents. He emphasized the importance of clear information and public feedback throughout the park management process.