New Spring Extended Season at UTRCA Conservation Areas Offers Plenty of Recreation Opportunities (media release, March 14, 2024)

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has added an extra four weeks of day-use access to Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas this spring. Effective Monday, April 1st, the Extended Season will run until Tuesday, April 30th.  

“We received such great feedback about the extended season this past fall, we wanted to add one to the spring season. We have been seeing a steady increase in day-use visitors to our Conservation Areas, and many of these guests have expressed that they would appreciate having amenities available for a greater number of weeks through the year,” shares Damian Schofield, Conservation Areas Coordinator with the UTRCA. 

Amenities offered to visitors during this extended season will include:  

• Customer service staff on site, 
• Access to hiking and biking trails, 
• Access to Fanshawe and Wildwood reservoirs for canoeing and kayaking (pending reservoir conditions), 
• Access to day-use areas including a playground, BBQs, picnic areas, and green space, 
• Access to Fanshawe and Wildwood reservoir boat launch (pending reservoir conditions), and 
• Washroom facilities. 

A reduced vehicle day pass fee of $10 (up to four people), or a reduced pedestrian/cyclist day pass fee of $5 for those walking or biking will be charged during this extended season.  

Hours of Operation will be as follows: 

• Fanshawe CA 

• • Daily: 7 am to 4 pm 
  • Dam gate will be closed at 4 pm daily 

• Wildwood CA 

• • Daily: 7 am to 4 pm 
  • Gate to day-use will be closed at 4pm daily 

Visitors can also purchase a 2024 Seasons Pass Mirror Hanger at the Conservation Area Gatehouse or at our online store. 

Photos of Fanshawe CA and Wildwood CA.   

Contact: Damian Schofield, Conservation Areas Coordinator