Released on May 14, 2014
Saskatchewan Provincial Parks will open for the season on Thursday, May 15, 2014. After setting a visitation record in 2013, SaskParks is expecting another busy season.“Saskatchewan’s Provincial Parks are places where family and friends gather and memories are made,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said. “Our parks are very popular and we know that campers are looking forward to replacing memories of a long, cold winter and late spring with summer fun.”
Though summer is officially still a few weeks away, campers can begin enjoying the parks starting May long weekend. As in past years, an alcohol ban will once again be in place from Thursday, May 15 to Monday, May 19 inclusive. This alcohol ban affects all campgrounds and picnic areas within provincial parks and recreation sites.
The ban is also in effect for 25 regional parks. Cottages and commercial businesses in provincial parks are not affected by the ban.
The Express Check-In Pilot Program that was launched in 2013 has been expanded this year. If residents are camping at Duck Mountain, Cypress Hills, Pike Lake, Greenwater, Douglas or The Battlefords Provincial Parks and have pre-purchased their Annual Transferable Vehicle Entry Permit, they will be able to drop the Express Check-In tear off in the identified station and proceed directly to their campsite.
Funding for provincial parks will increase by 4.6 per cent this year. Capital investments, including campground electrical expansion, service and visitor centre replacements and water system upgrades will total a record $14.9 million in 2014-15. Details on specific projects will be announced throughout the summer.
Several provincial parks are celebrating anniversaries in 2014. Narrow Hills Provincial Park will be celebrating its 80th year and Lac La Ronge Provincial Park will be 75. Cypress Hills will celebrate its 25th anniversary as an interprovincial park. Great Blue Heron Provincial Park will achieve a very special milestone in 2014 as well; it will have its first anniversary as a provincial park.
As it is still early in the season, a number of parks may have reduced services. In some cases, parks may be under a precautionary drinking water advisory as they prepare their water lines for the year and not all of the lakes are free of ice. It is recommended that visitors check ahead for the services that will be available by visiting www.saskparks.net. A listing of available services is posted and will be updated regularly.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Webb
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7828
Email: karen.webb@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-4087