  Preserve and Protect Algonquin
|
| Preserve and Protect Algonquin
|
This Incident Log is intended to document the scope of the destructive and dangerous practices recently occurring in Algonquin Park. This log will be the information archive to which we'll refer others, who are making initial inquires about our call for more education and enforcement measures to better preserve and protect the park. Help convince the politicians and bureaucrats responsible for the condition of our natural resources, that Algonquin Park needs better management. Submit your recollections of park abuse and be part of the problem's solution.
Incident Reports are posted with the most recent at the top, making the latest incidents more visible. With the increased popularity of digital cameras, it's anticipated that some reports will contain photos. A maximum of 3 illustrative photos will be considered for an incident report. Thumbnails (80 x 60 pixels) will be at the right side of the text area, allowing access to larger versions (approx. 480 x 360 pixels) .
|
 |
|
John D. Locke Richmond Hill, Ontario lobock2@sympatico.ca (11/05/04) |
When: May 9, 2004. Where: Opeongo Lake, East Arm Details: I came across a campsite marked with an orange diamond-shaped tag that was marked with the number 74. Someone had left a fire burning in an undesignated fire area (no fire-pit). There were loose newspapers and other trash lying on the ground, as well as cooked food on the fire. Remarks: Later, we were stopped by the OPP and I reported this incident to a Conservation Officer. |
|
Bill Lennips Chesley, Ontario mooserack2bmts.com @pweb.mgmt.sympatico.ca (24/07/03) |
When: July 13, 2003. Where: Cedar Lake at the mouth of the Nipissing River. Details: As we entered the river a power boat coming off the lake forced it's way through the reeds etc. into the river, leaving a trail of broken weeds and greenery and scattering birds in all directions. We later found it and four occupants parked about a quarter mile below the rapids. At least one of them was fishing. I informed the driver of the illegality of his presence it being a river. I also told him I would have to report him at the earliest opportunity. He simply shrugged and said in what I interpreted as a mocking way: "So report me". When we returned after having spend perhaps about an hour upstream they were gone. We then viewed the Petawawa falls and found the same boat parked there on the beach. The occupants were visiting the falls at that time as we saw one of them at the bottom while were at the top. No communication was exchanged and I am not sure they even saw us although they might have recognised our canoes parked on the same beach as their boat. The boat they were using was about 14- 16 feet long and was equipped with an older 20 horse Mercury outboard. It also sported two outriggers. The hull markings appeared to be hand printed, the last five digits being 119 20. The color of the boat was a twotone tan. The driver spoke with what I think was an Italian accent. Remarks: I reported the incident on the 16th when we left the Park at Kiosk and the lady there said she would call (Mary?) at Wendigo to see what could be done at that late date. I do not usually rat on people but Algonquin Park rates extremely highly in our family experience, and we have not failed visiting at least once every year for at least 20 years. We also had with us 2 other people (family) who travelled all the way from Europe to make this trip and simply put I was quite upset with this thing to happen on such a wonderful peaceful morning and in this beautiful place. |
|
John Leonard Sudbury, Ontario leomail_ca@yahoo.com (14/03/03) |
When: September 27-29, 2002. Where: Ragged Lake (Parkside Bay) Details: One campsite in the narrows had unburned garbage in firepit, so we burned the paper and collected garbage. However, we moved on in case other garbage in bushes might attract animals. Another campsite on point was very nice accept someone had chopped down a 16-20 inch diameter hemlock near privy. Remarks: What a shame because we found plenty of dry kindling along shore away from campsite. I wish I could get my hands on that person. I think all axes should be banned from park interior. If you can not break the firewood with your hands or saw it with a folding saw then forget it. Especially living trees that are green and no good to burn anyway. Axes are too heavy and are for splitting cord wood or chopping down live trees when you are bored. |
|
Norman Hooper Orleans, Ontario hooper@storm.ca (28/12/02) |
When: September 11, 2002. Where: Halfway between Dahinda and Boggy Lakes, where the portage meets with a gravel maintenance road. Details: Someone had ripped a portage sign in half and poked holes in another further down the road where the portage continued into the woods. Remarks: We repaired the damaged sign as best as we could. It was disheartening that someone could do something so destructive and irresponsible, with no appreciation of the potential hazards to other canoeists! |
|
Norman Hooper Orleans, Ontario hooper@storm.ca (28/12/02) |
When: September 9, 2002 Where: Campsite on the northeastern shoreline of Club Lake Details: Personal toiletries (tampons) and excrement and toilette paper left among the bushes within the campsite. Remarks: Very disconcerting and totally despicable. |
|
Phillip E. Kenny Baltimore, MD USA kenneype@comcast.net (23/12/02) |
When: August 11, 2002 Where: Stratton Lake, at the landing site to the natural water slide area. Details: A party was camped at site marked "No Camping". The campfire was left unattended while the group of young men was at the natural waterslide, out of sight quite a distance away. |
|
Derek Spurdens Orleans, Ontario dspurdens53@hotmail.com (01/01/03) |
When: August, 2002 Where: Mizzy Lake Trail Details: Toilet paper and tin foil along the trail. Remarks: I always bring a garbage bag with me on the trails and this particular day returned to camp with a bag full with toilet paper and someone's tin foil with sandwiches still inside.This tin foil was thrown into a small creek along the trail. Out of site out of mind for some people! I urge everyone who hikes to bring along a bag and pick up the trash instead of complaining about it and walking away.I know you feel you should not be obliged to pick up after others. But until we can solve the problem, let us do our part. |
|
Bob Thomas Kitchener,Ontario jabthomas@golden.net (28/12/02) |
When: July - August, 2002 Where: Rock Lake Car Campground Details: People collecting firewood out of the bush, cutting down branches and even small trees. Remarks: In some cases Ministry staff warns the people and tells them to put it back. This does not work. They wait untill the staff is out of sight, then go back and get it. I think they should get a fine then and there. An example is that a car parked illegally in the Park gets a ticket right away without a warning. |
|
Mark Williams Guelph, Ontario Markw@pioneeryouthservices.ca (27/12/02) |
When: April 2002 Where: Mew Lake Campground. Details: Garbage, including styrofoam meat trays covered in blood, were scattered in the bushes along the water. There were obvious signs of wildlife having eaten the garbage. |
|
Mark Williams Guelph, Ontario Markw@pioneeryouthservices.ca (27/12/02) |
When: September, 2001 Where: Cauliflower Lake, campsite, on north west side. Details: Lots of junk, oil cans, beer bottles, paper, bits of garbage scattered around the campsite. |
|
David Pile Cleveland, Ohio, USA dgp@copper.net (27/12/02) |
When: Afternoon of August, 2001. Where: Burntroot Lake near Portal Rapids. Details: A campfire had been left burning and smoldering, with no park employees within miles. Remarks: We emptied canoe of all our gear and used it to haul water from lake to douse the campfire. |
|
Mark Williams Guelph, Ontario Markw@pioneeryouthservices.ca (27/12/02) |
When: September, 2000 Where: Opeongo Lake, North Arm, first campsite south east of portage into Proulx Lake. Details: Numerous piles of toilet paper and hygiene products were scattered in the bushes in a wide arc, completely surrounding the campsite in all directions. Curiously, the privy was brand new. |
|
Mark Williams Guelph, Ontario Markw@pioneeryouthservices.ca (27/12/02) |
When: September, 2000 Where: Lake of Two Rivers Campground - "Riverfront" site Details: Lots of garbage, paper and plastic bags were in the trees and bushes along the river's edge. There was a red fox scavanging in the trash. Other campers were pulling fire wood out of the bushes for campfire. |
|
Jim FitzSimmons
Pleasant Plain, Ohio jim_fitzsimmons@wilmington.edu (09/01/03) |
When: August, 2000 Where: Island campsite on Ralph Bice Lake Details: Trash had been left around the campsite (including stuffed in holes in trees), live trees cut down for firewood, thunderbox torn apart and burned for firewood. Remarks: We met a ranger on the lake who cleaned up the site and replaced the thunderbox. |
|
Mark Williams Guelph, Ontario Markw@pioneeryouthservices.ca (27/12/02) |
When: October, 1999 Where: Magnetawan Lake. Details: People camped on island just off access point, despite being clearly posted as "No Camping". |
|
Mark Williams Guelph, Ontario Markw@pioneeryouthservices.ca (27/12/02) |
When: October, 1999 Where: Magnetawan Lake, first campsite east of access point. Details: Campfire grill was thrown into the lake. Beer bottles, cans and garbage scattered on campsite. |
|
Derek Spurdens Orleans, Ontario dspurdens53@hotmail.com (26/12/02) |
When: On numerous trips Where: Between the Sand Lake gate and turnoff for Achray Road Details: Along the roadside, scattered pop cans. |