National parks partly reopening next month

OTTAWA — A large number of Canada’s national parks and historic sites will partly reopen for daytime visitors next month, but Canadians should plan to go only to those fairly close to home, Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said Thursday.

All 46 national parks and 171 national historic sites were shut on March 25 as part of the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wilkinson said that as spring begins to take hold in the country, and with the blessing of public-health experts, it’s time to start opening them back up.

“Increasingly, in many areas, people are wanting to be outside and we want to be sure we are providing space for people to physically distance in a safe way,” Wilkinson said.

Many, though not all, national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas will reopen on June 1, he said, depending on whether they are in areas where it is considered safe to do so.

Trails, day-use areas, green spaces and some recreational boating will also be permitted at that time, but Wilkinson said people should check online before heading out to see whether their local park is open for their chosen activity. He said it is not a good idea at this point to travel a long way to visit the parks.

“It is aimed at giving people who live approximate to the park to get out and get some exercise in a safe way where they can physically distance,” he said. “We are not envisaging people driving long distances to go to the park.” Camping will be off limits until at least June 21.

Most provinces have already reopened provincial parks for day use or will before the end of May. Several plan to add camping on June 1.

B.C. opened many of its provincial parks on Thursday, but several in and around Vancouver were kept closed because of fears they would draw crowds.