New Tree Canopy Skywood Eco Adventure Park
New Tree Canopy, Skywood Eco Adventure Park, Coming to the 1000 Islands
The St. Lawrence Parks Commission announced that it will be revitalizing its old Brown’s Bay Campground on the 1000 Islands Parkway (only 10 minutes West of Brockville) with the installation of a new tree canopy eco adventure park providing guests the opportunity to connect with the natural environment. Tree top adventure parks feature new ways to explore a wooded area with things like aerial ropes courses and ziplines.
“SLPC will take this underutilized asset and revitalize it to create SKYWOOD, a tree top adventure park. It is an exciting new experience that weaves perfectly into the environment, and will drive economic growth and benefits to our regional and provincial partners.” – Darren Dalgleish, CEO & General Manager, St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “A large portion of the area will remain undisturbed and available for the community to continue to enjoy at leisure either for hiking or pet walking”.
THE SLPC recently undertook a Request for Proposal process to develop the concept of the tree top Eco Park. It has been awarded to Treetop Trekking of Quebec who operate five parks in Ontario and five in Quebec. Over the coming weeks, work will be done to finalize a design for the park and confirm the various elements. The park is scheduled to open this summer and will provide experiences for children from age 4 years as well as adults.
This announcement comes on the heels of several significant investments by the SLPC in its parks assets over the past three years. In 2014, the SLPC in partnership with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville completed a $2M investment in the refurbishment of the 1000 Islands Recreational Trail which runs parallel to the 1000 Islands Parkway between Gananoque and Brockville. The upgrades brought the trail up to a modern multi-use accessible format that supports healthy, active lifestyles and acts as a feeder to local trail networks. In addition, the SLPC has invested in campground and beach upgraded including the addition of cabins, RV sites and upgrades to services offered.
“The development of this new eco adventure park is the perfect marriage of the SLPC’s economic and stewardship priorities. SKYWOOD will draw new tourism activity to the region and help create the critical mass needed to ensure Eastern Ontario is established as a destination of choice in Ontario.” said Dalgleish.
The SLPC has continued to work cooperatively with businesses and residents along the 1000 Islands Parkway replacing parkway signage and making vista improvements. It has plans to expand camping, in the region that will include tree house lodging, and improved access to waterfront areas.
The 1000 Islands Parkway is a 37 km long scenic highway meandering along the St. Lawrence River offering breathtaking scenery and recreational opportunities for motorists and cyclists alike. The SLPC manages the Parkway and operated Ivy Lea Campground and Brown’s Bay Day Park and Beach located along the Parkway.
The addition of SKYWOOD is just one of the many things that will let you Explore Brockville Like Never Before in 2016
