Gatineau Park, Rideau Canal locks open for the season today

Good news, nature lovers: both Gatineau Park and the Rideau Canal lockstationsopen today.

The National Capital Commission says all Gatineau Park parkways and all camping sites including ready-to-camp units at Lac Philippe will be open, as willthe Mackenzie King Estate.

But there are restrictions.

While the Gatineau, Champlain, and Lac Fortune parkways will be open to motorists during the day, they will close about 30 minutes after sunsetand remain closeduntil 8 a.m. the next morning.

The closures arepart of a pilot project to protect the park.

Canal opens at 9 a.m.

The Rideau Canal also opens this morning to boat traffic.

Parks Canada says all lockstations will be able to receive boaters as of 9 a.m.

The agency iswarning canal users, however,to still be careful due tohigh levels and fast flowing water.