Explore Nature and History on Windsor’s Peche Island!

Discover the captivating beauty of Peche Island this summer! The City of Windsor is once again offering both guided and self-guided tours to this hidden gem. 

Discover Peche Island Guided Tour

The Discover Peche Island guided tour is a great way to learn about the history of the island! This two-hour tour allows you to enjoy a relaxing one-hour guided boat tour around the island while learning about its cultural history. The tour then stops for one hour on the island, where there is also a guided leisurely 2-kilometre (1.24-mile) stroll along the island’s trail.

The Discover Peche Island tours start on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and run every Friday and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. until August 29, 2026. Ticket price is $35 per person.

Peche Island Self-Guided Tours

Peche Island Self-guided Tours are a great opportunity for those who prefer to move at their own pace! Catch a boat ride to the island and explore trails, canals and historic ruins across 86 acres of land.

The Peche Island Self-Guided Tours start on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Tour dates vary and are available on the Peche Island Tours web page, and each tour runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the final return trip to the marina at 2 p.m. (weather permitting). Admission is $13.00 per seat.

All tours depart from Lakeview Park Marina, 9200 Riverside Drive East. You can book either tour by email at CRBC@CityWindsor.ca or call 519-255-1161.

Tips for Your Trip:

• Ensure you come prepared with your photo identification (ID) along with protection against bugs and the sun.
• Bring water bottles to stay hydrated as well as a compact personal bag, such as a purse or backpack.
• Don’t forget your binoculars to enhance your island exploration.
• Please ensure that you carry out whatever you bring in.

The post Explore Nature and History on Windsor’s Peche Island! appeared first on In Play! magazine.

Ontario Opening Nearly 70 New Campsites Ahead of Peak Summer Season

Expansion adds nearly 5,000 new camping nights at three popular Ontario Parks

The Ontario government is opening 67 new campsites at three of the province’s most iconic and in-demand provincial parks. This summer, MacGregor Point, Killarney and Driftwood Provincial Parks will offer nearly 5,000 new reservable camping nights just in time for peak camping season as part of the first phase of a nearly $60 million, multi-year investment to deliver the largest campground expansion Ontario has seen in more than 50 years.

“Camping is at the heart of summer for so many families across this province, and an Ontario Parks getaway is second to none. By opening 67 new sites – with hundreds more to come – we are creating more opportunities for families to enjoy Ontario’s incredible outdoors, supporting local businesses and helping people create lifelong memories to share with loved ones.” – Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Reservations for the new campsites open on June 15, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time for arrivals beginning June 26, 2026, through the Ontario Parks Reservation Service at the following parks:

• MacGregor Point Provincial Park: 17 new campsites
• Killarney Provincial Park: 25 new campsites
• Driftwood Provincial Park: 25 new electrical campsites

Ontario Parks welcomed a record nearly 14 million park visits in 2025, reflecting the rapidly growing demand for outdoor recreation across the province. The new campsites will make it easier for more families and visitors to experience Ontario Parks while boosting domestic and international tourism that supports local businesses and jobs.

The new campsites are part of Ontario Parks’ broader $60 million campsite expansion and modernization efforts to add up to 300 new campsites and upgrade 800 campsites with electrical service. This includes the creation of 65 new campsites at Bon Echo and Presqu’ile Provincial Parks that will be available for 2027 summer season.

Ontario Parks has already completed electrical upgrades at 285 campsites across several provincial parks, including Sandbanks, Arrowhead and Turkey Point. These upgraded sites are currently available for reservation, with arrival dates varying by park and site.

As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the province is expanding access to outdoor recreation, strengthening local tourism economies and ensuring families can continue enjoying Ontario’s world-class parks and natural spaces for generations to come.

Quick Facts

• Collectively, these new sites will add 4,891 reservable camping nights between June 26 and Labour Day, increasing opportunities for Ontario families to enjoy the outdoors this summer.
• Over the life of the investment, Ontario Parks will create approximately 300 new campsites and electrify 800 existing sites, representing the largest campground expansion in more than 50 years.
• Since 2018, the province has invested more than $161 million in infrastructure upgrades across Ontario Parks.
• With almost 14 million visits in 2025, Ontario Parks is the largest provider of outdoor recreational opportunities in the province.
• Park visitors play a key role in Ontario’s tourism economy, generating spin-off benefits for nearby communities through local dining, shopping and attractions.

The post Ontario Opening Nearly 70 New Campsites appeared first on In Play! magazine.

Ontario Relaxing Alcohol Restrictions in Provincial Parks

Province giving adults more freedom to responsibly enjoy alcohol throughout park grounds and beaches

Just in time for summer, the Ontario government is making it easier for people to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends by allowing adults to responsibly consume their favourite alcoholic beverages throughout provincial parks. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, this change means alcohol will no longer be restricted to individual campsites, making it easier for people to relax and spend time with family and friends while supporting a stronger tourism industry that creates jobs and drives economic growth across the province.

“Ontario Parks are some of the province’s most sought-after destinations for day trips and overnight camping, offering people a chance to connect and spend quality time together,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “As families and friends gather for picnics or unwind after a long day on the trails, updated rules around where alcohol can be consumed are intended to improve the overall park experience and support local tourism, while continuing to prioritize safety. Ontario Parks are a key part of what makes our province a travel destination and we are supporting experiences that attract more visitors, strengthen communities and grow the economy.”

As parks open this spring and summer, adults aged 19 and older can now enjoy alcohol responsibly in most areas of provincial parks that are open and staffed for the 2026 season, such as picnic areas, beaches and other day use areas across the park. Park users will not receive tickets or fines for responsibly consuming alcohol in permitted areas outside of individual campsites. Existing rules still apply for unsafe or unlawful behaviour, including public intoxication, underage possession or consumption, and having open or improperly stored alcohol in a motor vehicle or boat.

Parks will post clear signage to identify areas that will remain alcohol-free, such as sites of cultural or historical significance, buildings where food and drink are already restricted and areas that may pose significant safety risks.

Park staff will continue to enforce rules to ensure Ontario Parks remain safe, family‑friendly and enjoyable for everyone, including:

• consuming alcohol only where it is allowed
• respecting other park users
• disposing of containers properly
• never driving or boating while impaired

This change builds on the government’s broader efforts to modernize alcohol rules and support local tourism, including expanded “bring‑your‑own” permits for outdoor public events that give communities more flexibility to host festivals and cultural gatherings that support local economies. It is part of the government’s broader plan to protect Ontario by boosting the tourism sector, promoting Ontario as a global travel destination and helping create jobs across the province.

Quick Facts

• Ontario Parks sees more than 13 million visits each year, connecting millions of people with nature across Ontario.
• Overall, these visits contributed an estimated $1.2 billion to Ontario’s tourism industry in 2025.
• Alcohol sales will continue at select Ontario Parks stores, including Bonnechere, Presqu’ile, Pinery and Halfway Lake provincial parks. Sales are also expanding to Fitzroy, Earl Rowe, Emily and Murphys Point provincial parks for the 2026 operating season.
• Ontario’s tourism sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributes billions of dollars to the provincial economy each year.

The post Ontario Relaxing Alcohol Restrictions in Provincial Parks appeared first on In Play! magazine.

City of Windsor Invites You to Discover Peche Island

Discover the captivating beauty of Peche Island this summer! The City of Windsor is offering both guided and self-guided tours to this hidden gem.

Discover Peche Island Guided Tours

The Discover Peche Island Tour is a great way to learn about the history of the island. This tour experience is approximately two hours in length and includes a one-hour guided tour around the island learning about its cultural history and significance, and one hour spent on the island. There, guests can enjoy a leisurely 2-kilometre (1.24-mile) stroll along the island’s trail.

The Discover Peche Island Tours run every Friday and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. until October. Ticket price is $30 per person and the tours depart from Lakeview Park Marina.

Peche Island Self-guided Tours

For those who prefer to move at their own pace, the Peche Island Self-guided Tours are an amazing option. Catch a ride to the island and explore trails, canals and ruins across 86 acres of land.

The Peche Island Self-guided Tours depart Lakeview Park Marina every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. with the final return trip to the marina at 2 p.m. (weather permitting). Admission is $10.75 per seat.

You can book either tour by contacting CRBC@CityWindsor.ca by email or by calling 519-255-1161.

Tips for Your Trip:

• Ensure you come prepared with your photo identification (ID).
• Bring protection against bugs and the sun.
• Bring water bottles to stay hydrated.
• Bring a compact personal bag, such as a purse or backpack.
• Remember to bring your binoculars to enhance your island exploration.
• Please ensure that you carry out whatever you bring in.

Peche Island was purchased by Hiram Walker in 1883. He used the island as a summer home and his buildings included a stable, large home, greenhouse, and icehouse. The property was sold in 1907. The City of Windsor acquired the land from the province of Ontario in 1999 and has invested significantly over the years to protect and reinforce the area while increasing accessibility and providing opportunities for community engagement and eco-tourism.

Add a visit to Windsor’s Peche Island to your list of seasonal must-dos and explore this hidden gem!

The post City of Windsor Invites You to Discover Peche Island appeared first on In Play! magazine.

Disc Golf Course proposal to be revaluated at Holiday Beach

More than 100 people attended ERCA’s Open House on the proposed Disc Golf Course for Holiday Beach Conservation Area on May 6. A proposal for a 9-hole course in the mowed grass area designated for recreation within the Holiday Beach Management Plan had been approved by ERCA’s Board of Directors in April, and the open house was held to gather public input. There are currently 18 conservation areas and provincial parks in Ontario that host Disc Golf.

The majority of those in attendance were opposed to the proposed location for the course. “We hosted this Open House in order to hear what park users had to say,” said Kevin Money, ERCA’s Director of Conservation Services. “We’re now going to pause and re-evaluate if disc golf might be compatible in an alternative location, as it is quite clear that the majority of those in attendance at the meeting do not support the proposed location.” Money indicated that they would be reviewing comments received and will report back to the ERCA Board of Directors at its September meeting.

Holiday Beach is managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority under a long-term agreement with the Province of Ontario for recreational and conservation purposes. While there are many areas within the site designated as natural heritage or ecological protection, there are also areas identified for recreation.

Ongoing activities at the park include seasonal camping, hunting, bird watching and bird banding, educational field trips, a playground, cottage rental and day-use. ERCA highlighted the restoration efforts that had taken place at the Holiday Beach under its management. Holiday Beach was originally operated as a provincial park and then was a private campground for a short period of time before the Province approached ERCA to operate it as a conservation area. “When we took over park management in 1987, only 21% of the park was natural habitat,” Money said. “Since that time, we’ve planted trees and naturalized parcels so that habitat now measures 63%.” In accordance with its management agreement with the Province of Ontario, the park must also be managed for recreation.

“Ultimately, we want to ensure that Holiday Beach Conservation Area is valued and visited by a wide variety of user groups who want to enjoy the park and its amenities,” Money added. ERCA invited those in attendance to submit their suggestions for alternative recreational uses for consideration. An online comment card is available.

Holiday Beach Conservation Area is open from dawn until dusk daily. Day use at the park is $12 per vehicle, and a seasonal pass can be purchased for $80 plus the key fob deposit.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is a public sector organization established by the Province of Ontario and governed by local municipalities. For more than 50 years, it has provided the organization and delivery of programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in Ontario.

The post Disc Golf Course Proposal to be Revaluated at Holiday Beach appeared first on In Play! magazine.