Gatineau Park beaches packed on first Saturday of July

OTTAWA -- Gatineau Park beaches were a popular destination on the first Saturday of July during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Capital Commission closed the sectors around Philippe Lake, La Peche Lake and Meech Lake in Chelsea on Saturday afternoon due to the crowds.

At 10 a.m., the NCC reported parking lots P11, P12 and P13 around Meech Lake were full, and asked residents to avoid the area for the time.

Just after 1 p.m., the parking lots around Philippe Lake and La Peche Lake were full.

Parking lots in the Philippe Lake sector and in the La Pêche Lake sector are full. These sectors are to be avoided for the time being. #GatineauPark pic.twitter.com/GaEKz8j7si

— Gatineau Park (@NCC_GatPark) July 4, 2020

The NCC warns that the three beaches are popular destinations during the warm weather, and temporary closures are expected to encourage physical distancing and traffic flow.

The parking lots reopened at 5 p.m. as vehicles left for the day. 

Beachgoers are encouraged to keep two metres from others to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

It’s going to be a bright sunshiny day! Expect the sectors of Meech, Philippe and La Pêche lakes to be a popular destination this weekend. Temporary closures of these sectors are to be expected. #GatineauPark pic.twitter.com/xPiKWFzBfq

— Gatineau Park (@NCC_GatPark) July 4, 2020