The Smith government has launched a new initiative aimed at gathering public views on the future of Alberta’s provincial parks, provincial recreation areas and wildland parks – all part of plans to create a new strategic vision for recreation and conservation in the public spaces.
Whether the results of the survey will find their way into future government policy and programs remains to be seen. What is known is that as some of Alberta’s most environmentally valuable lands, parks must be protected and enhanced for future generations.
The Plan for Parks engagement initiative is asking Albertans for their views on topics such as new and emerging trends in recreation and camping, environmental responsibility, reconciliation, and the delivery of visitor experiences now and down the road.
Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks, says the public input into the future of Alberta’s parks will be considered by the current government.
“We want Albertans to share their vision with us, as we create a renewed and modern plan to bring Alberta’s parks into the future,” said Loewen.
“Our parks provide truly spectacular outdoor experiences, and we need to make sure their unique beauty is preserved for our children and our children’s children.”
Alberta’s full parks and protected areas system currently covers more than 4.5 million hectares of representative and special landscapes, he noted.
The Plans for Park initiative will focus on 79 provincial parks, 193 provincial recreation areas, and 34 wildland provincial parks.
With provincial parks and recreation areas in this district attracting many, many visitors from across Alberta and beyond every year, it is vital to the local economy and the community-at-large that good, sound management of those assets be the order of the day.
At the same time, parks and recreation areas should and must be accessible to all residents and visitors, regardless of their economic and financial status.
With the survey available at alberta.ca, area residents are encouraged to have their say in this important public input gathering process.
- Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan
