County of Wellington launches picnic initiative

Online map includes location of 125 local picnic spots

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Residents and visitors are being invited to discover picnic spots and food options with the help of an initiative launched by the County of Wellington.

A new online picnic map features parks, conservation areas and green spaces suitable for a picnic outing.

Over 125 different Wellington County locations can be found on the map, with a photo and information on available amenities, such as washrooms, picnic tables, gazebos and more.

In an effort to support local restaurants, the picnic location map has also been added to the online Takeout Food Map, which makes it easy to pick up food at local restaurants and enjoy it in an outdoor setting, county officials state in an Aug. 4 press release.

To further encourage individuals to order takeout food, a total of 1,000 picnic kits have been distributed to various restaurants in Wellington County.

Wilkie Park in Centre Wellington is among the locations listed in a new online map of Wellington County picnic locations. Submitted photo

These surprise kits, containing small picnic-related gifts, will be handed out over the next few weeks with the occasional takeout order as a way to say thank you for supporting local restaurants.

“We are excited to showcase our communities through this new initiative,” states Wellington County councillor and economic development committee chair George Bridge.

“Not only does it invite people to get out and explore our great parks and outdoor spaces, but it also encourages supporting local food businesses and restaurants which have been especially affected by public health measures.”

In order to keep parks and green spaces clean, the initiative encourages picnic enthusiasts to pack “boomerang” picnics and take any leftover food and waste home to re-use, recycle and dispose of responsibly.

Picnic-goers can share photos of their picnic or takeout food on social media with the hashtag #WellingtonCountyPicnics for a chance to win one of seven picnic hampers worth $250 each.

Fore more information visit www.wellington.ca/picnic.