We Are Pleased to Approve the Sauble Falls Provincial Park Management Plan, As Official Policy for the Management and Development of This Park

NOTE: This document has been scanned and formatted, and therefore is slightly different from the original version. -March 2002

We are pleased to approve the Sauble Falls Provincial Park Management Plan, as official policy for the management and development of this park. The plan reflects this Ministry’s intent to protect natural and cultural features of the Sauble Falls Provincial Park and maintain high quality opportunities for outdoor recreation and heritage appreciation for both residents of Ontario and visitors to the Province.

Regional Director, Director, Parks and Southwestern Region Recreational Areas Branch TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE No.

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Relationship to the Rankin Resources Management Area 1.2 Relationship to Sauble Beach

2.0 PARK POLICIES...... 1

2.1 Classification 2.2 Goal 2.3 Objectives 2.3.1 Recreation 2.3.2 Heritage Appreciation 2.3.3 Tourism 2.4 Boundary 2.5 Zoning

3.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ...... 5

3.1 Vegetation 3.2 Fisheries 3.3 Wildlife

4.0 CLIENT SERVICES ...... 5

4.1 Visitor Services 4.1.1 Communications 4.1.2 Interpretation 4.1.3 Outdoor Recreation 4.1.4 Education 4.1.5 Staff Development 4.2 Research 4.3 Marketing

5.0 DEVELOPMENT...... 6

5.1 Campgrounds 5.2 Day Use Area 5.2.1 Canoeing 5.2.2 Viewing Station

6.0 IMPLEMENTATION ...... 8

7.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION ...... 8 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Regional Setting...... 2

Figure 2. Local Setting ...... 3

Figure 3. Park Facilities and Proposed Development ...... 7

Additional copies of this publication are obtainable only from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

611 Ninth Avenue East, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 3E4. Telephone: 519-376-3860. 1 skiing, snowmobiling and bird and plant

1.0 INTRODUCTION viewing.

Sauble Falls Provincial Park was Sauble Falls Provincial Park complements established in 1960 under Regulation 498 the natural amenities of the area and the and is located 36 kilometres west of Owen local tourist economy by providing a Sound and approximately 2.5 kilometres variety of facilities. There are 152 campsites north of Sauble Beach on County Road 21. consisting of 130 tent-trailer sites and 22 The park is separated by County Road 21 pull-through. There are no electrical outlets. (Figures 1 and 2). The total park area is 20 One group camping area with a capacity of hectares with the west side at 14 hectares 50 people presently exists. The day-use while the east side has approximately 6 area south of the Sauble River has a hectares. The park derives its name from parking capacity of 123 cars. The day-use the picturesque limestone falls along part of area north of the Sauble River has a parking its northern boundary. capacity of 36 cars.

The park is underlain by the Guelph 1.1 Relationship to the Rankin Formation; a middle Silurian reefal complex Resources Management Area composed of greyish to brown dolomite. The Sauble River crosses a resistant The Rankin Resources Management Area portion of the dolomite at County Road 21, immediately north of Sauble Falls Provincial resulting in the falls. Park, is an 80 square kilometre complex of lakes, rivers, wetlands, upland forests and The dunes within Sauble Falls Provincial agricultural lands. In addition to private Park are located on part of a great sand landholdings, substantial tracts of land are plain that was deposited by glacial lakes owned by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Nipissing and Algonquin. These features the Sauble Valley Conservation Authority, are related to the dunes and large barrier the Bruce County Board of Education and bar that runs parallel to the Lake Huron the County of Bruce. The area is being coast. Also of interest is the ox-bow which managed to optimize the production and represents an old course of the Sauble utilization of the resources and to attain the River. outdoor recreational targets for the Owen Sound District. The Sauble River is the major hydrological feature in the park. The Rankin River A strong link between Sauble Falls Provin- converges with the Sauble at the northeast cial Park and the Rankin area will be park boundary. established through cooperative efforts with agencies such as the Sauble Valley Vegetation resources are typical of the Conservation Authority and Bruce County. Great Lakes - St. Lawrence forest. The These efforts will include the management result is a variety of vegetation communities of the Rankin River canoe route, develop- dominated by sugar maple, white birch or ment of trails, a visitor services program and white cedar. outdoor education facilities.

Sauble Beach constitutes a major focus for 1.2 Relationship to Sauble Beach recreationists and tourists and with Sauble Falls nearby, both features are within easy Sauble Falls Provincial Park will compliment reach of the major cottage communities the private development at Sauble Beach along the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay through the provision of short term camping shoreline. The Rankin Resources opportunities, access to Sauble Falls and Management Area to the north offers the promotion of area attractions. recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing, cross-country 2 2.0 PARK POLICIES 3 4 2.1 Classification District Land Use Guidelines. A total of 114,788 camping opportunities and 104,474 Sauble Falls Provincial Park is classified as day-use opportunities can be provided if the a Recreation class park for its capability to park were to be operated at its maximum provide a diversity of outdoor recreation potential. These figures represent 24% of activities for large numbers of people in the camping opportunities target and 40% of attractive surroundings. Park visitors may the day-use opportunities. participate in a variety of outdoor physical activities, in car camping, in group Management of these opportunities will recreational and educational programmes recognize the park’ s relationship to the and in natural and historical interpretation. community of Sauble Beach.

2.2 Goal 2.3.2 Heritage Appreciation

“To maintain and operate Sauble Falls “Providing opportunities for exploration and Provincial Park so as to provide the highest appreciation of natural and cultural possible quality and variety of outdoor environments through interpretation and recreational experiences for large numbers education based upon the character and of people consistent with the capability of significance of Recreation Parks.” the natural and cultural landscape.” The significance of Sauble Falls Provincial 2.3 Objectives Park relates to the Sauble River that flows through the park and to the park’ s Sauble Falls Provincial Park contributes to associations with the Rankin area and the objectives for recreation class parks by: Sauble Beach. At Sauble Falls Provincial Park, interpretive and educational programs 2.3.1 Recreation will reflect the natural features and cultural resources of the area. “Providing day-use opportunities and facility-based camping opportunities in 2.3.3 Tourism areas of outstanding recreation potential” “Providing Ontario residents and out-of- Sauble Falls Provincial Park is associated province visitors with opportunities to with two areas, Sauble Beach and the discover and experience the distinctive Rankin Resources Management Area, both regions of the Province”. of which possess outstanding recreational potentials. The park provides a variety of Sauble Falls Provincial Park will provide day-use and camping opportunities. Some day-use and camping opportunities for of these opportunities will be available on a those tourists travelling through the area. year round basis (for example, hiking, sport The park will also serve as a destination for fishing and viewing the falls). those tourists attracted to Sauble Beach from considerable distances who are The walking trails in the park will integrate seeking camping and recreation with the Rankin area to the north and the opportunities. County and Crown lands to the south. The park’s camping facilities will act as a base Recreational facilities and opportunities for people wishing to visit nearby areas of offered at Sauble will complement those interest. offered elsewhere by the private sector in the area. Efforts will be directed towards The day-use and camping opportunities promoting the variety of tourist facilities and provided at Sauble Falls Provincial Park will recreation opportunities found throughout contribute to achieving the recreational the Sauble area. targets contained in the Owen Sound 5 2.4 Boundary integrated approach will be required in order The park boundary south and east of for the park to achieve its objectives. County Road 21 will over time be extended slightly southwards to encompass the group 3.1 Vegetation camping facility, the office and maintenance building. The buildings are owned by the Fires will be detected and suppressed County of Bruce and leased to the Ministry. through the use of standard methods.

If the demand for camping opportunities in Measures to control insects and disease will the area increases and the private sector is be permitted where aesthetic or natural unable to meet this demand, then the values are threatened. Where control is Ministry will consider expansion of Sauble desirable and feasible, it will be directed as Falls Provincial Park. There is sufficient narrowly as possible to the specific threat to land in public ownership south of the park to minimize impact on other elements of the provide up to 150 new campsites. Any park environment. If required, control expansion and development of new measures will be pre- scribed in a campsites will only be carried out after vegetation management plan. consulting with the local private campground operators and municipality. A vegetation management plan will be Planning for this expansion will be prepared to provide guidance for monitoring accomplished through a public review of the and improving campsite rehabilitation park management plan. measures and general landscaping. The major objective of the plan will be to define 2.5 Zoning measures for maintaining the forest cover throughout the park. One development zone to guide management encompasses the entire park 3.2 Fisheries including the small area proposed for expansion to the south. Medium to high intensity recreational opportunities, ranging Opportunities for excellent sport fishing and from camping to day-use are provided. All viewing the fish run are being provided and support services and facilities such as will be maintained. comfort stations, picnic grounds, roads and maintenance and administrative buildings 3.3 Wildlife are provided. Site planning for all development minimizes any adverse A “no hunting” policy will be continued. environmental risks. However, the campground and facilities may be operated to accommodate sport 3.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT hunters desiring and permitted to hunt on land outside the park (eg Rankin Resources The park’ s natural and cultural resources Management Area). Regulations to permit will be managed in accordance with the possession of enclosed firearms by general planning and management policies campers will be enacted. for recreation class parks. Specific direction, where needed to meet the Trapping to control nuisance animal popu- requirements of Sauble Falls is provided lations will be permitted under Ministry below. supervision.

Although the policies are presented in 4.0 CLIENT SERVICES separate categories, all planning and management will recognize that the com- 4.1 Visitor Services ponents are inter-related and that an The visitor services program will provide 6 visitors with recreation opportunities related a visitor’s stay as enjoyable as possible. to understanding and appreciating the This involves orientation and education of features in Sauble Falls and surrounding all park staff to relevant and current area. This will be achieved through the information about the park, the surrounding following components of a visitor services area and ways to enhance visitor program. satisfaction and understanding.

4.1.1 Communications 4.2 Research

Information concerning park resources, Research within the park will be permitted management, facilities, programs and so long as appropriate approvals are nearby points of interest will be available at obtained. Topics requiring further research key points throughout the park (ie park include the supply and demand of camping office, main gates). Information will be opportunities, suitability of present programs provided through such means as a park and the satisfaction of park visitors. leaflet, park staff, display and notice boards and the visitor centre. 4.3 Marketing

4.1.2 Interpretation A marketing plan will be prepared to attract more visitors during low-use periods in the The interpretive program will seek to create mid-week and spring and fall seasons, to a greater understanding of the natural and increase involvement with the commercial cultural values of the park. Aspects of the sector by encouraging park users to use program will consider the historical events and take advantage of local tourist services of the past and present uses of the Sauble and attractions, and generally stimulate and Rankin river systems as well as interaction between the park and the private adjacent lands. The interpretive program tourist and commercial sector in the vicinity. will be delivered through staff organized programs and self-use facilities such as 5.0 DEVELOPMENT trails and exhibits. Development will proceed in accordance 4.1.3 Outdoor Recreation with the following guidelines. Detailed site plans will be completed and approved in A high quality, seasonal activity program advance of rehabilitation of existing facilities related to the natural features and cultural or the development of new facilities. resources of the park, the County and Crown land to the south and the Rankin 5.1 Campgrounds Resources Management Area will be implemented. Particular emphasis will be A development proposal for the east side placed on seasonally popular activities such campground is the provision of electricity to as spring and fall fishing, fall hunting, approximately 20 sites (Figure 3) to canoeing, hiking and flora and fauna encourage visitors during the spring and fall viewing. seasons.

4.1.4 Education Campsite rehabilitation measures are being implemented and will be reviewed in five Sauble Falls will continue to be available to years to determine if they were successful. the Bruce County Board of Education for their outdoor education program. 5.2 Day Use Areas

4.1.5 Staff Development The majority of day-use parking for fishermen and other recreationists occurs The park staff will continually strive to make north of the Sauble River. This day-use area 7 8 will continue to be provided at no charge as possession of encased firearms a contribution to the local tourist economy. Methods will be sought for maintaining this S prepare marketing plan to promote facility such as cooperative efforts with the the variety of tourist facilities and municipality and volunteers. recreation opportunities in the Sauble area The day-use parking area south of the Sauble River and west of County Road 21 S Integrate walking trails with the will be reduced in area and a variety of Rankin area playground facilities developed. S monitor demand prior to the 5.2.1 Canoeing development of new campsites Good canoeing opportunities exist along the Rankin and Sauble Rivers. A canoe launch- The management plan will be reviewed in ing facility will be provided in the north day- 10 years following its approval, or earlier if use area. the need arises. As funds and priorities permit, additional research will be 5.2.2 Viewing Station conducted on natural and cultural values, Viewing of fish spawning activity is a and recreational user demands provide a popular activity along the Sauble River and basis for future reviews of the plan. at Sau.ble Falls. This activity will be enhanced by the provision of seating 7.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION facilities in landscaped surroundings on the south shore of the river. The following steps were taken to incorporate public consultation in the 6.0 IMPLEMENTATIOM preparation of the Sauble Falls Provincial Management Plan.

A mailing list was prepared consisting of The following is a priority listing of projects local residents, interest groups, which have been identified in the municipalities, government agencies and management plan. members of both the federal and provincial S parliaments. Twenty-eight copies of the Prepare veqetation management draft management plan were mailed out on plan to guide campsite rehabilitation November 30, 1984, with four responses measures being received by the January 18, 1985 deadline for public comment. S provide electricity to approximately 20 sites A letter was sent to 500 park visitors asking them if they were interested in reviewing the S extend boundary slightly southwards draft plan. Sixty-four people took the time to to encompass the group camping either write or telephone requesting a copy area and administration area of the draft management plan. Out of the 64 requests, 29 people returned written S construct canoe launching facility comments by the January 18, 1985 and restructure day-use area deadline. S upgrade viewing opportunities

S enact regulation to permit 9 A news release was mailed out on efforts were 33 separate letter raising 46 November 30, 1984, and a newspaper issues. A report was then prepared advertisement was placed in the local summarizing the analysis of the public newspapers during the first week of comment . On copy of the summary was December, 1984. These efforts were sent to the each person that had submitted designed to inform people of the preparation comments. of the management plan and that copies of the draft plan were available at the Owen Based upon Ministry of Natural Resources Sound District Office. staff discussions and external input, the final plan was prepared , approved and copies The results of the various communication sent to the municipalities , members of parliament and other interested parties.