TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS Komoka Provincial Park has long served residents and visitors to London, offering free access to beautiful views and numerous recreational hiking trails;
WHEREAS evidence has shown that access to the natural environment helps to reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and lower risks for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and cancer;
WHEREAS new parking fees ranging from $5.75 to $14.50 for daily use of Komoka Provincial Park have been imposed without consultation and without additional amenities to justify the new costs, appearing to be simply a cash grab by the Liberal government;
WHEREAS the lack of bike lanes and bus routes connecting Komoka Provincial Park to London, and the prohibition on roadside parking, requires almost all visitors to drive to the park and pay to park their vehicles;
WHEREAS the new fees are likely to decrease park visits with negative consequences for community health and wellbeing;
THEREFORE WE THE UNDERSIGNED petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:
That the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry eliminate the parking fees introduced in August 2016 to ensure that Komoka Provincial Park remains accessible to residents of the City of London and all Ontarians.