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Fort Creek, Hiawatha to remain open during stay-at-home order

Fort Creek Conservation Area and Hiawatha Highlands will be remaining open through the provincial stay-at-home order
20201223-Hiawatha Highlands Facebook photo
Hiawatha Highlands. Facebook photo

Fort Creek Conservation Area and Hiawatha Highlands will join city-run outdoor recreational facilities in remaining open to the public over the duration of the provincial stay-at-home order. 

Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority General Manager Corrina Barrett tells SooToday that while Mark's Bay is now closed for the winter, the parking lot at Fort Creek will remain open. 

The conservation authority wants to remind the public that its conservation areas are not maintained during the winter months. 

“In order to keep these properties open to the public, we ask that visitors stay local, adhere to gathering limits, social and physical distancing guidelines, and keep a mask with them in case there are times that they are not able to distance appropriately,” Barrett said.

The trails at Hiawatha Highlands will also remain open and groomed, according to a recent post on its website. 

Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club will be offering limited curbside services at Hiawatha, including the sale of trail passes and ski rentals via debit and credit.

Its office will be staffed for trail safety from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., but will be closed to the public. 

On Thursday, the City of Sault Ste. Marie announced that city-run outdoor recreational facilities - including skating rinks, trails and toboggan hills - will remain open to the public during the stay-at-home order. 

The City says on-site security will be enforcing provincial regulations and limiting how many people can use the facilities at a time. All outdoor facilities will close at 8 p.m. 

Hockey, outdoor sports and outdoor recreational classes will all be prohibited at the city-run facilities.