June is Parks and Recreation Month and OPSEU is proud to celebrate Ontario’s magnificent parks and recognize our members who work hard to make them the envy of the world.
Parks are important to the economy, creating thousands of jobs and attracting tourists. They’re also important to the environment. They clean our air, purify our water, protect groundwater, prevent flooding and preserve and Ontario’s wildlife and their habitat.
Ontario has 78,000 square kilometres of parkland. It takes a lot of work, dedication and professionalism to keep our parks in shape to fulfil the many vital functions they play in maintaining our quality of life.
The credit for the fantastic condition of our parks goes to our members who work with the Ministries of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Natural Resources and Forests. Their vigilance, knowledge and experience ensure Ontario’s parks remain jewels. We also salute Niagara Parks employees, as well as the important policing role of the Niagara Parks Police Service, OPSEU members who patrol the parklands surrounding the Niagara Parkway.
The COVID-19 pandemic will change how we spend time in our parks, but if we carefully observe physical distancing and public health rules we should be able to enjoy spending time outdoors this summer.
In solidarity,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer