British Columbia's provincial parks now have more places to sit and enjoy an amazing view - each with their own special stories and wonderful memories. The 100 for 100 Park Bench Challenge launched in 2011 to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of British Columbia's provincial parks system was so successful that all 100 benches are sold.

The stories behind the newly installed park benches are many.

Jim Thom of Kamloops was one of the citizens who sponsored one of the new benches in memory of his wife, Barbara, who passed away last November. Thom chose the exact location - on a bluff overlooking Lac Le Jeune Lake - and volunteered to help with its installation. On Aug. 24, Jim brought his family to the bench for a celebration of Barbara's life and recollections of the many trips they took to the area over four decades.

At Garibaldi Provincial Park Sheena Ball and her brother, James Brown, have sponsored a bench to commemorate the accomplishment of their great-grandfather and grandfather, W.T. Dalton and A.T. Dalton, who were members of the first party known to climb to the top of Mount Garibaldi, on August 11, 1907.

Another bench at the end of a hiking trail in the same park now bears the name of a beloved Ministry of Environment colleague and friend, Lenami Godinez, who passed away tragically. One of her favourite pastimes included a six-hour trek high into Garibaldi Provincial Park. Evidence that Lenami's life touched many hearts during her short time in British Columbia is a second bench dedicated to her memory. Encorp Pacific, which shares her keen interest in environmental stewardship, has sponsored a bench overlooking Cultus Lake.

An international online community came together when one of its members - avid wildlife photographer Jim Dubois of Campbell River - passed away. Jim shared his photos through the popular Flickr website and those Flickr friends banded together to sponsor a park bench in Jim's memory, appropriately located at Elk Falls Park where he most often visited.

The 100th bench was made possible by RLC Enterprize, a Park Facility Operator. It's proudly situated in Goldstream Park on southern Vancouver Island which is frequented by thousands of visitors each year, especially during salmon spawning season each fall.

With the 100 for 100 Park Bench Challenge concluded and a success, individuals, companies and organizations can continue to sponsor a Classic Park Bench through the BC Parks Commemorative Gifting Program.

Sponsoring a bench costs $3,000 and includes installation, a customized bronze plaque, and maintenance for ten years. Sponsors also receive a charitable tax receipt for their contribution.

Quotes:

Environment Minister Terry Lake -

"The success of the 100 for 100 Park Bench Challenge is a testimony to the value the people of British Columbia place on their BC Parks. The generosity of the donors will help make wonderful memories for park visitors for generations to come."

Quick facts about BC Parks:

• The Park Benches initiative was launched in June of 2011 to mark the 100th anniversary of B.C.'s parks system.

• British Columbia has Canada's largest provincial park system, with 1,008 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas, covering more than 13.7 million hectares.

• Almost 20 million people visit our provincial parks each year, with surveys showing 80 per cent of visitors expressing satisfaction with their visits.

• Capital funding in BC Parks has increased by 27 per cent over last year.

• Parking fees were eliminated at provincial parks in 2011, making them more accessible to B.C. families.

Learn More:

BC Parks: www.bcparks.ca

Park Bench Initiative: www.bcparkbench.ca

BC Parks Passport Program: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/events/passport/index.html?WT.ac=Passport_Image

BC Parks on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourBCParks

Media Contact:

Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9630