Cup Match Camping Guidelines 2012

The Cup Match Holiday is a very busy time for camping and picnicking at the Government parks and beaches. Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works in conjunction with the Department of Parks have established a few guidelines for those who wish to camp outside the three designated campgrounds - Ferry Point, Chaplin Bay and Higgs & Horseshoe Islands.

The major reforestation and environmental project at Coney Island is still ongoing. Therefore the park is CLOSED to camping. It will be restricted to picnicking only.

There will be NO CAMPING at Blue Hole Park / Nature Reserve or Coopers Island Nature Reserve at the old NASA site. There is also NO CAMPING on the DUNE immediately behind Jobsons’ Cove in South Shore Park. This dune area has rare sensitive plants that need to be protected. There is a sign erected advising park users of this policy.

No tents or ropes to mark spots are permitted to be erected on Monday 30th July 2012.

Tents and ropes found erected at the parks and beaches on this date will be taken down by the Department of Parks.

Campers may erect tents and tarps on Tuesday 31st July 2012 to secure their preferred spot. However, no one will be permitted to camp on this date. Please do not erect tents in front of the park and beach access gates.

Camping will be permitted from Wednesday 1st August until Sunday 5th August 2012.

Park gates will be opened during the day on 1st August 2012 to allow campers and picnickers the opportunity to set up. Park Rangers will be on duty until 10 p.m. the night of Wednesday 1st August 2012 and will begin locking the gates at 9:30 p.m.

For the safety of park users ALL vehicles must be removed from the parks and placed in the designated parking lots.

Park Rangers will also be on duty both days of Cup Match Thursday 2nd August and Friday 3rd August 2012 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the weekend Saturday 4th August and Sunday 5th August 2012 from 9:30 am to 6 pm to assist park users.

Lifeguards will be on duty at Clearwater Beach, Turtle Beach, John Smith’s Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Long Bay at Coopers Island Nature Reserve from 10 am to 6 pm. throughout the holiday period.

The following beaches have safe swimming zones designated by buoys where boats and personal watercrafts are not permitted to enter: Clarence Cove at Admiralty House Park, Shelley Bay, Clearwater Beach, Turtle Bay, and Long Bay at Coopers Island. Operators of vessels are asked to adhere to these safety zones.

The Department of Parks maintenance crews will also be working from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm. both days of the Cup Match Holiday, as well as the weekend to collect trash, rake beaches and clean toilets.

Access gates must be kept clear at ALL times.

We ask the owners / drivers of vehicles to please use common sense and DO NOT PARK in front of the access gates as they must be kept clear so that Department of Parks maintenance vehicles and Emergency vehicles including Police, Fire, and Ambulance can gain access at ALL times.

Offending vehicles will be ticketed, clamped and towed at the owners’ expense in order to clear the blocked gates.

In addition there are private residences at John Smiths Bay Park and the access road must be kept clear for tenants.

ALL CAMPING EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PARKS AND BEACHES BY MONDAY 6th AUGUST 2012. ALL EQUIPMENT LEFT AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE CONSIDERED ABANDONED AND WILL BE DISPOSED OF BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS.

The cooperation of the general public during the busy 2012 Cup Match Holiday would be greatly appreciated by the staff of the Department of Parks. In addition please be considerate and respectful of your neighbours, including those who stay adjacent to the parks and beaches. Music must be played at reasonable levels that will not disturb other park and beach users or residents.

For further information please contact the Department of Parks, Park Ranger Office at 236-5902 or 239-2355.

The Minister and the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry of Public Works, and the Director and Staff, of the Department of Parks, wish the general public a safe and enjoyable 2012 Cup Match Holiday.