Province Expanding Charleston Lake Provincial Park

March 6, 2026

Expansion of Ontario’s first Adventure Class park would boost outdoor recreation while protecting the region’s natural beauty

ATHENS, ONTARIO — The Ontario government is proposing to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park to give park visitors more opportunities to enjoy activities like hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and ATV and snowmobile travel. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the proposed expansion will help drive local tourism and strengthen economic development in the region, while permanently protecting an important piece of the region’s natural heritage.

“As Ontario’s first Adventure Class park, this significant expansion of Charleston Lake Provincial Park will create new opportunities for local residents and visitors alike to get outside and enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature, while protecting it for future generations,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “We are grateful to our partners in the Charleston Lake Provincial Park Working Group like the Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust, the Schad Foundation, the Ontario Conservation Accelerator and other key stakeholders who are helping turn a shared vision into reality.”

Ontario is proposing to expand Charleston Lake Provincial Park by approximately 2,273 acres (about 920 hectares), which would increase the size of the park by one third. Located directly east of the existing park, near the town of Athens, the proposed addition includes lands that are currently used for a wide variety of activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, cross‑country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, biking and ATV and snowmobile travel. The proposal would allow existing ATV and snowmobile trails to continue and there will be no change to these activities during the planning process for the proposed park expansion.

The park was designated Ontario’s first Adventure Class park in December 2025 through Private Members (Bill 26). Adventure Class parks are a new classification of provincial park that were created to help expand opportunities for outdoor, challenge-based activities in natural settings across Ontario, while protecting natural features.

Every visit to Ontario Parks generates spin-off benefits for nearby communities through local spending. It is estimated that in 2025 alone, visitation to Charleston Lake Provincial Park contributed approximately $13.7 million to Ontario’s tourism industry.

Over the coming months, the province will consult with Indigenous communities, local stakeholders and the public before making a decision on the planned expansion. Members of the public are invited to review the proposal and share comments on the Environmental Registry of Ontario until April 20, 2026.

Quick Facts

  • Established in 1975, just 60 kilometres east of Kingston, Charleston Lake Provincial Park is a family favourite destination for camping, swimming, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing. The park has a rocky lake and forest landscape and boasts great hiking trails and excellent educational programming. It received 143,879 visits in 2025.
  • In fall 2025, Ontario became the first in Canada to create urban and adventure classes of provincial parks. Charleston Lake Provincial Park is Ontario’s first designated Adventure Class park.
  • The proposed addition would also allow for the conservation and permanent protection of a provincially significant wetland, Leeder’s Creek Wetland complex and a small portion of the Blue Mountain Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. The area is home to a wide range of plants and animals, such as the Gray Ratsnake, and is located in one of the most important ecological corridors in eastern Canada.

Quotes

“Conservation at scale requires leadership and a willingness to work through complex issues. Ontario’s commitment to expanding Charleston Lake Provincial Park while thoughtfully maintaining existing recreational uses reflects a practical, solutions-focused approach to protecting critical landscapes. This is the kind of collaborative progress that delivers lasting conservation results, and a model that can be scaled up across the province to ensure more win-win solutions for people and nature.”

– Peter Kendall
Executive Director, Schad Foundation

“The Leeder’s Block Lands are some of our most ecologically valuable and aesthetically beautiful in the area, host to large forests, Provincially Significant wetlands, and critical habitat for six species at risk including a local mascot: the grey rat snake. It’s amazing to see this push, among others around the province, toward protecting our most valuable ecosystems while giving Ontarians the opportunity to experience them first hand. The ongoing access for trail use on the Leeder’s Block, combined with the continued strong ecological protection of the existing park lands, means that this project is a win for everyone. We are proud to work alongside the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks, other conservation organizations, and key local partners to ensure that our ecologically vital backyard is protected for future generations.”

– Calder Schweitzer
Executive Director, Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust

“This proposed expansion represents what’s possible when government and land trusts work together with a shared purpose. The addition of these lands to Charleston Lake Provincial Park helps permanently protect a vital ecological corridor within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, while ensuring that critical outdoor recreation opportunities will be available for generations to come. This project reflects a thoughtful balance between conservation priorities and continued public enjoyment of the area.”

– Mike Hendren
Executive Director, Ontario Conservation Accelerator

“With its incredible natural beauty, Charleston Lake Provincial Park is a prime destination for families seeking to get closer to nature. Significantly expanding the park’s boundaries ensures we can preserve more of this treasured area for future generations to explore. I want to thank the many partners who worked closely with me to make this expansion possible and recognized the opportunities that having Ontario’s first Adventure Class park in Leeds and Grenville will create for recreation, tourism, and conservation.”

– Steve Clark
MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

“The Township of Leeds and the 1000 Islands is very pleased to see the expansion of Charleston Lake Provincial Park. Protecting our land, lakes, and wetlands is essential to environmental sustainability and to the health and well-being of our residents. The preservation of these natural areas strengthens our community and safeguards the landscapes that define our region. We sincerely commend the partners and the Province for their vision and commitment in adding this parcel to an already exceptional provincial park.”

– Corinna Smith-Gatcke
Mayor of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands

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