The Region of Waterloo closed a section of the Sandy Hills Regional Forest in the Township of Woolwich, Ontario, on March 10, 2026. The southern trails are temporarily off-limits to the public while crews perform essential forest management work.
This maintenance work is part of a plan to keep the woodland healthy and safe for the community. The Region conducts this work periodically, which can include removing specific trees, controlling plants that do not belong there, or performing controlled burns to clear out brush.
The Sandy Hills Regional Forest is a popular spot for hikers and is known for its large stands of red pines. These trees were originally planted to help prevent soil erosion and protect the area’s sandy landscape from washing or blowing away.
While the southern section is blocked off, the remainder of the forest stays open for people to enjoy. The Region asks that all visitors follow the posted signs and stay well away from areas where active tree work or management is happening.
In a post on Twitter, the local government confirmed the closure is only temporary. Officials have not yet given a date for when the southern trails will be fully open to hikers again.
