Plans in place to utilize new Castle River parks
The snow has arrived, and new winter programs are being introduced in the new Castle River parks.
Outdoor trail skating, “fat biking” and equipment rentals are being introduced this winter, along with lessons, partnerships with local hotels — and three toasty warming huts.
The new winter initiatives were announced Monday by Lethbridge West MLA Shannon Phillips, the province’s minister of environment and parks.
They’re designed to “give families more opportunities to enjoy nature, have fun and make memories,” she said.
“These enhancements demonstrate our government is committed to making the Castle parks premier, year-round destinations.”
A 750-metre “trail loop” around the Beauvais Lakes campgound is being created for skaters, while parks staff will provide cross-country trail grooming and track-setting at Beauvais as well as at the popular Syncline location.
A “learn to ice fish” program will run at Beaver Mines Lake, meanwhile, along with crosscountry lessons at Syncline. And snowshoe-signed trails will be provided at Beaver Mines, Syncline and West Castle.
The warming huts will be located at Castle Bridge, Syncline and Beaver Mines Lake, officials say.
Starting in January, parks staff will also offer sessions on winter survival, including snow shelter construction and building a fire. And parks staff will also be presenting a “winter wildlife” snowshoe program, including free pickup from local hotels.
The new “fat bike” trails will also be groomed for easier use.
Helping make outdoor activities affordable, Phillips added, libraries in Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass will loan snowshoes and outdoor equipment. Details of the new programs, along with trail condition updates, will be offered on the Alberta Parks website.
“It’s a good place to get outdoors,” she said, and close enough for southern Albertans to make it a day trip. And the outdoor experiences are free.
But with new programs and upgrades, Phillips reported the Castle River parks are now drawing visitors from much farther away.
Introduction of the new programs, she said, will build on the $20-million worth of improvements underway in Castle Provincial Park and adjacent Castle Wildland Provincial Park. With their creation, the government has protected about 103,000 hectares of prime Eastern Slopes habitat.