Investments celebrate BC Parks 100th birthday

VICTORIA - British Columbia's world-class parks system has been enhanced by more than $10.5 million in capital and community legacy investments and free parking for the approximately 20 million annual visitors to ensure our provincial parks are more welcoming for families and visitors to B.C.

The Province invested $10.1 million in a range of provincial park projects, including a $1-million upgrade to electrical systems at Golden Ears Park, $135,000 for trail improvements at Horne Lake Caves Park on Vancouver Island, a $193,000 investment in Liard Hot Springs Park facility and a new shower building worth $550,000 in Juniper Park in B.C.'s Thompson region.

Projects from wetland restoration in Cypress Park to cultural celebrations at Montague Harbour Marine Park to new foot bridges at West Twin Park have been undertaken through $450,000 in legacy funding, which leveraged an additional $470,000 from communities throughout the province. All legacy improvements were aimed at recreational activities or conservation efforts. Most projects will be completed by March 31, 2012.

• Parking fees were eliminated from B.C.'s provincial parks on May 3, 2011, making parks more accessible and inviting to families.
• The Province invested $450,000 in community groups through the Community Legacy Fund to support improvements to 27 projects throughout the province. Community groups receiving funding through the program are contributing a total of nearly $470,000 in cash and in-kind support for a total project value of nearly $920,000.
• BC Parks recently invested $100,000 in 100 new easily accessible picnic tables to be installed in two of B.C.'s busiest provincial parks (Rathtrevor and Golden Ears) throughout 2012.
• The 100 Park Benches for 100 Years of BC Parks program allows people to sponsor a park bench and personalize it, at the same time providing 100 new locations for park visitors to sit down and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
• BC Parks provided a grant of $5,000 to support Learn to Fish sessions at parks in the Okanagan, Kamloops and Vancouver Island regions - attracting a record number of 2,400 participants.
• Park rangers are featured in four Great Ranger videos sharing their experience of working as stewards of B.C.'s wonderful provincial parks.

Learn More:

• BC Parks: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/things_to_do.html
• Great Ranger videos: http://bit.ly/ooyxPj
• Connect with BC Parks on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourBCParks

Contact:

Suntanu Dalal
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745