Grand River Conservation Authority is pushing back opening some of its parks for camping due to an ice storm earlier this month. Meanwhile, local cities are asking teams to stay off outdoor sports fields.
In both Kitchener and Waterloo, sports teams are being asked to stay off fields and ball diamonds until at least May 14.
Therese Linseman is the parks manager for sports and outdoor programming with the City of Waterloo. She said most of the fields were set to reopen May 5, but the grass isn't growing yet because of the wet conditions.
"We have to be able to mow the fields before there's play on them," she said. "If it's too wet, they won't recover properly, and they'll just be damaged the whole season."
She said her staff are doing what work they can, like checking fences and benches at the parks, but have to hold off on other work, like rolling the cricket fields.
Kitchener tweeted on Friday that their fields will also be closed until May 14.
Brantford also announced on its website it will keep sports fields closed until May 15.
In Guelph, ball diamonds are expected to open on May 11 and sports fields will open on May 18.
GRCA camping to open late
Meanwhile, saturated ground conditions and tree damage have delayed the opening of the GRCA parks that offer camping.
Byng Island, Brant Park, Pinehurst Lake and Rockwood will open as scheduled on May 1. Elora Gorge and Guelph Lake will open on May 4. Laurel Creek and Conestogo Lake parks will open on May 11.
Day-use parks Shade's Mills and Belwood Lake have both reopened since the ice storm.
Even after the parks open, some campsites, trails and areas of the parks may not be accessible to the public until the wet conditions subside.
Swimming at the Elora Quarry is expected to open in mid-June.