A Vernon resident is the grand prize winner of a spa retreat and a spelunking adventure at one of B.C.'s top attractions in the Share Your B.C. parks online contest sponsored by British Columbia Magazine and BC Parks in celebration of 100 years of BC Parks.

Julie Melanson, who told the magazine her story about a perfect winter's day in her favourite provincial park, was awarded a two-night getaway for a family of four to Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre in Parksville and a guided caving tour at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park.

From March 15 until Sept. 30, 2011, residents of Canada were asked to share their top thing to do in a B.C. provincial park for a chance to win one of three B.C. adventure packages. The winning entries were randomly selected by magazine staff from more than 300 submissions.

What was Melanson's top thing to do in a park? She wrote, "I like to feel like I am dancing on my skis, as I skate ski on a crisp, clear winter day at Sovereign Lake in Silver Star Provincial Park."

Rachael Tudan of Salmon Arm won second prize: a two-night escape to an Olympic Legacy Cabin in Porteau Cove Provincial Park and a half-hour scenic floatplane ride from Van City Seaplanes.

Third prize was won by Sandy McRuer of Port Alberni: a camping package that includes a three-night stay at any B.C. provincial park, a BC Parks picnic blanket, two BC Parks' stainless steel travel mugs, two coffee mugs, two water bottles, and a one-year subscription to British Columbia Magazine.

All submissions can be viewed online at the magazine's special website: www.ShareYourBC.com

Quotes:

British Columbia Magazine editor Jane Nahirny -

"Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you for sharing your special moments at our provincial parks with our readers."

Quick Facts:

• B.C.'s first provincial park - Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island - was officially created in 1911.
• Today, the province has nearly 1,000 parks and protected areas, including 65 new parks created since 2001.
• Parking fees were eliminated from B.C.'s provincial parks on May 3, 2011, to help make them more accessible and inviting to families.
• With 13.6 per cent of the province set aside as parks and protected areas (1,000 in total), B.C. has the second-largest park system in Canada, second only to the national park system.

Learn More:

• Find out more about British Columbia Magazine: www.bcmag.ca/
• Find out more about BC Parks 100: www.bcparks100.ca
• Find out more about BC Parks by viewing the Great Ranger Experience videos on YouTube: http://bit.ly/ooyxPj

Contact:

Suntanu Dalal
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745