B.C. winters usually mean outdoor adventures, and what better way to enjoy B.C. Family Day that in a B.C. park? From the North, to the Coast, to the Interior there are countless great ways to have no-fee family fun snowshoeing, hiking, beach combing, wildlife viewing and much more.

Vancouver Island's mild climate means BC Parks are often open year-round. Juan de Fuca Provincial Park's beautiful Botanical Beach features rich tidal pools and shoreline trails guaranteed to keep families entertained for hours. A short walk from the nearby parking lot will take curious kids of all ages to a world of sea creatures and ocean vistas.

Northern B.C. has countless ways to enjoy winter adventure in B.C. Parks, including the famous, newly renovated Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park. A popular stop for families in all seasons, these spectacular hot springs are the second largest in Canada. The pools range in temperature from 42 degrees to 52 degrees Celsius and provide a welcome rest for cold hikers.

British Columbians in the South and the Interior can enjoy a selection of affordable adventures. Ski hills in three of B.C.'s parks - Manning, Cypress and Seymour - are offering deals on lift tickets. If downhill is not for you, try cross-country skiing around Sovereign Lake at Silver Star Provincial Park or snowshoeing on Little White Mountain in Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park.

Planning the best possible trip begins with a visit to the BC Parks website for activity information, park location and access.

For those that want to experience fun closer to home, BC Parks' popular mascot, Jerry the Moose, will be at Family Day celebration locations in Prince George, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Cranbrook, Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria. To learn more about events in these cities, including times and locations, go online at: www.bcfamilyday.ca

In addition to activities in BC Parks, the B.C. Family Day website is a portal to encourage families to connect with other resources, get inspired and discover new things and find events to attend throughout the province. It also links to the BC Parks Family Day site for a list of some of the best activities in provincial parks throughout British Columbia.

Quotes:

Environment Minister Terry Lake -

"Some of our best family times were spent in BC Parks. What better way to celebrate the very first B.C. Family Day than by exploring British Columbia's spectacular wilderness with fun, family-friendly adventures. Hike, snowshoe or ski - it's all about sharing the love of outdoors without breaking the family budget."

Quick Facts about BC Parks:

• BC Parks has over 6,000 kilometres of hiking trails throughout the province.

• 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.

• Many BC Parks are open year round, but activities are weather dependant. Confirm park access before you go to make sure your favourite provincial park is open for the season.

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

Share your favourite camping spot with us on BC Park's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YourBCParks

Learn More:

Get the highlights of nearby BC Parks activities on: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/visiting/bcfamilyday/

For more information about B.C.'s provincial parks, visit: www.bcparks.ca

For more information about fun and affordable activities around the province: www.bcfamilyday.ca

Media Contact:

Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745