Morrisburg - The St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) is changing things up at Upper Canada Village for 2012 lowering the adult admission rate by $6 to $15 (per adult, plus tax).  The aggressive move is intended to make the heritage site more affordable for more people and to stimulate broader visitation.  Plus, the parking fee introduced two years ago in 2010 has been lowered to $2 per car from $5. New event fees will be introduced depending upon the size and scale of the event and event programming is planned to increase with some exciting additions.

SLPC is also rolling out a brand new Reciprocal Program to increase cross visitation between its numerous attractions and by its diverse client base.  The Reciprocal Program will work by giving visitors who purchase a gate admission at Fort Henry, Upper Canada Village or a SLPC day-use facility, a FREE ticket to visit the other heritage site or one of the day-use parks or beach areas absolutely FREE!  The program is based on a Buy One Get One (BOGO) principle of equal or lesser value and will be valid for the regular day programs during the regular operating season. 

Seasonal campers, Crysler Park Marina seasonal boaters and Upper Canada Golf Course members will also get in on the program.  They will be provided with an Experience Pass that will give them admission for two to Upper Canada Village, Fort Henry and to any of the St. Lawrence Parks day-use beach facilities free all season long.  Campers will also get benefits under the Reciprocal Program receiving two free passes valid for Upper Canada Village or Fort Henry upon check-in at any St. Lawrence Parks campground.  The Reciprocal Program does not apply to special events such as Fort Fright, Sunset Ceremonies or Alight at Night.  But they are valid for regular day program events such as Medieval Festival, Horse Lover’s Weekend and other themed weekend events.

The regular season operating dates during which the Reciprocal Program is offered:

Upper Canada Village - Saturday, May 19 to Sunday, October 7, 2012; Wednesdays through Sundays from September 3 to October 7.

Fort Henry – Saturday, May 19 to Labour Day, Monday, September 3, 2012

St. Lawrence Parks Day-Use/Beach areas –

Brown’s Bay Beach Day-Use Area – weekends – May 19 to 27; daily from June 2 to September 3

Crysler Beach Day-Use Area – June 18 to September 3

Glengarry Campground Day-Use Area – May 19 to September 3

Long Sault Parkway - Woodlands Beach Day-Use Area – June 18 to September 3; Mille Roches Beach Day-Use Area – May 19 to September 3

For information and reservations, call 1-800-437-2233 or 613-543-4328 (locally) or visit www.parks.on.ca.