A plea for ‘co-operation’ as provincial parks set to reopen
Campers, hikers urged to follow rules, ‘be a good neighbour’ and keep distance
Hikers and campers are being urged to keep physical distancing orders top of mind as Alberta begins to relax restrictions surrounding provincial parks and public lands.
Those areas are among the first within the province for which restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being relaxed.
Premier Jason Kenney and health officials announced details of Alberta’s three-part economic relaunch plan on Thursday.
Vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas at provincial parks and public lands was restored on Friday. The province intends to reopen its online campground reservation system on May 14, allowing for bookings at select campgrounds starting June 1.
Campsites will be limited to Albertans only, for the time being.
Access to boat launches also opened in select provincial parks on Friday, while Alberta golfers can hit the links once again, with restrictions in place.
For Murray Fierheller, chair of the Alberta Hiking Association, the sudden renewed access to outdoor spaces came as a surprise.
But he said it was a positive step welcomed by the hiking community.
“I just hope they don’t overuse it and the government decides there’s far too many vehicles parked in the lots,” he said.
“If they become overcrowded, I can see the government going back and closing them again.”
Fierheller said hikers had been frustrated by the lack of vehicle access to trailheads, calling it a “big blow” to the outdoor season. He predicted some might “flock” back to the trails.
City parks and playgrounds remain closed in Calgary.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi asked residents of his city on Friday not to overcrowd other communities like Canmore as provincial parks reopen.
“You have to go to places where there are not other people,” Nenshi said.
“If your favourite hiking spot’s parking lot is totally full, drive to another hiking spot. Be self-sufficient. Take in what you need, take out what you need; don’t expect that you’re going to stop for dinner or so in these towns because they just can’t handle it.”
Parking lots at Fish Creek Provincial Park, located within the city’s boundaries, were scheduled to reopen by Saturday.
Calgary Emergency Management
Agency deputy chief Sue Henry said conservation officers would be patrolling the park to ensure physical distancing is maintained.
“We’re asking Calgarians to remember to be a good neighbour and to park properly and to do the physical distancing and to be a good user of that park,” said Henry.
A spokesperson for Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon said that although restrictions are being eased, the province needs “everyone’s co-operation to ensure we don’t have to bring them back.”
“The last thing we want to do is reimpose restrictions on outdoor recreation — so plan ahead, and if the parking lots look full, come back later or visit another day,” spokesperson Jess Sinclair stated in an email.
“We are encouraging people to adhere to current health guidelines on social distancing and gathering, and to visit a park in their region rather than travel great distances. This relaunch requires a great deal of social responsibility and accountability and we know Albertans can deliver.”
Sinclair added that not all services would be open right away while the province ramps up staffing. That includes washrooms and garbage pickup.
“If people are visiting our parks, their experience will be different due to COVID -19. We’re asking everyone to ensure they have enough food and water, as well as hand sanitizer,” she said.
“If you’re visiting our parks or public land, respect the land, pack out what you pack in and leave everything as you found it. We recognize many Albertans want to get outside, but we’re still in the middle of a pandemic.”
Heather Cowie, president of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, called on hikers “to maintain ... physical distancing and all the rules that come along with that.”
“Try to maintain as much as we can so we’re not losing the ground that we have established so far,” she said.
In B.C., parks and campgrounds remain closed.