Backcountry rehabilitation

In 2016 close to 130,000 visitors from all over the world came to experience the unique, diverse and beautiful landscapes of Killarney Provincial Park. To preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity, it is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of erosion and damage caused by human impact to the wild spaces in the interior of the Park.

Working in partnership with Ontario Parks, Friends of Killarney Park is committed to a long term upgrading of the Park’s ageing infrastructure of boardwalks along portages and trails and privies on interior campsites. 

Check out our Paddle & Trails e-newsletters for updates on our work in the Park's backcountry. ​

Boardwalks

Over the past five years our staff and volunteers have replaced or installed sections of boardwalk in the following areas:
  • Killarney Lake to Threenarrows Lake portage
  • Bell Lake to David Lake portage
  • Balsam Lake to Deacon Lake portage
  • Granite Ridge, Chikanishing, Cranberry Bog and the La Cloche Silhouette trails
 
Boardwalks are key to providing park visitors the opportunity to safely explore the backcountry while protecting the natural flow and pooling of water that creates an environment for unique species of flora and fauna.
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Safe, sturdy boardwalks and footbridges and properly constructed privies will significantly minimize the human impact on the land and watershed and contribute to its long term sustainability. 

Privies

We have also replaced more than 30 privies on interior campsites. Human waste left in the interior without proper containment is visually unappealing, potentially unsafe and changes the balance of the already fragile watershed recovering from the effects of acid rain. Replacing privies helps mitigate the adverse effects of this human impact. 
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Before
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After

​Pine plantation rehabilitation

We're working with Ontario Parks on a pine plantation rehabilitation pilot project in three small areas located along the Granite Ridge Trail. Learn more.