Ontario park's rock climbing conflict escalates to threats, vandalism and a cease and desist

CLEARVIEW · Threats, vandalism and a cease and desist order from the provincial government have marked a long-running conflict over rock climbing in an ecologically sensitive Ontario park. The dispute at Devil's Glen Provincial Park on the Niagara Escarpment involves climbers, local residents and Ontario Parks, with tensions escalating to alleged physical confrontations and police calls. In 2023, Ontario Parks installed signs to close several climbing routes to protect sensitive ecosystems, but removed them months later following backlash from the climbing community. Neighbour Adam Pearce said his concerns began nearly two decades ago when he noticed climbing routes appearing on the escarpment abutting his property. After a climber fell eight metres and required rescue, Pearce sought to understand how the sport was regulated. "We watched them start vandalizing the cliff and we reported it numerous times to Ontario Parks," Pearce told The Narwhal. He and his wife, Holly, say they have seen sensitive plants ripped out, tree limbs sawed off and paths built with gravel chipped from the cliffs.

The couple have sent more than 100 emails and made dozens of phone calls to Ontario Parks over the years. In response, the provincial agency issued them a cease and desist letter in 2026 for excessive communication, which the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks said was "inappropriate and serve no constructive purpose." The Pearces deny allegations from climbers that they have destroyed routes, stolen equipment or egged cars. "We never thought that it would affect us on a level that it has," Pearce said, recounting middle-of-the-night calls with threats to burn their house down. "[The Ontario Provincial Police] told me I should always have a body cam walking in the park." The Ontario Provincial Police did not comment on the number of service calls or whether charges have been laid.

Mike Penney, volunteer president of the Ontario Alliance of Climbers, has been targeted for disputing Ontario Parks' efforts to close areas. He shared photos of posters with his likeness arguing about the scientific evidence behind the closures, which he said were shared on social media and left on climbers' vehicles. "I'm not denying that there is an impact to our natural environment through climbing," Penney said. "But I would argue that climbing has the least amount of impact out of any recreational sport that you could think of."

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Documents obtained through freedom of information legislation show the conflict extends beyond neighbourly squabbles. In May 2023, Ontario Parks put up signs closing several routes. Climbers criticized the move as "unprecedented" and, according to documents, emailed staff to say it was taken in "bad faith." By August that year, the office of then-environment minister David Piccini ordered all remaining signs removed, even though at least one government biologist argued removing them had "no scientific rationale." Ontario Parks did not respond to a request for comment.

Creating a climbing route involves invasive procedures. Climbers use tools like saws, shears and crowbars to remove loose rocks and vegetation. A guide from the Association of West Kootenay Rock Climbers in B.C. advises removing roots from cracks and using a hammer drill to affix permanent bolts to the cliff face. The Pearces worry about the ecosystem, including hundreds of bats that use caves and cracks and ancient cedars on the cliffs. With more than 140 climbing routes across approximately 700 metres of escarpment within the park, climbing has continued indiscriminately since the signs came down. The documents suggest the actions of the provincial ministry have allowed the situation to deteriorate. The Pearces, who have erected "No Trespassing" signs on their property, say they have been told by climbers to mind their own business when confronting them.

With files from The Narwhal