Elora Quarry to have daily visitor limit

ELORA — The number of visitors to the Elora Quarry will be limited this summer to make the experience more enjoyable while reducing the environmental impact on the popular park.

The Grand River Conservation Authority set a maximum daily capacity at the park of 1,300 guests beginning this month.

The limit follows a significant increase in the number of people visiting the park last year, leading to challenges with overcrowding.

The visitors on a busy day last summer could get as high as double the new limit.

“It wasn’t amenable to that many people at the quarry,” said spokesperson Cam Linwood. “There were complaints.”

Ensuring people have an enjoyable and safe visit is main goal of the new limit.

Even before people could get to the quarry, the parking lot was congested and there was regularly a backlog of vehicles waiting to get in.

“Quite often, they’d be lined up well down the road,” said Linwood, adding that would make it difficult for emergency vehicles to enter the park.

Staff also noticed an environmental impact on the park, including erosion and soil compaction. Natural areas were also being damaged by visitors.

“People were creating their own trails,” Linwood said. “Litter became a big concern.”

Plus there was worry about the water quality with so many people swimming at the beach.

Along with the new daily limit, quarry visitors will have to wear a wristband.

People are encouraged to arrive early or call ahead if they want to visit the quarry. Daily updates on the park status will be available at 519-620-7596.

When the park reaches capacity, staff will encourage people to go instead to the Elora Gorge or other nearby Grand River parks, including Belwood and Guelph lakes.

Elora Quarry is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays until Labour Day.