Campsite expansion, improved disability access highlight enhanced recreation in BC Parks

The Province is investing up to $22.9 million over five years to add over 1,900 new campsites.

More than 800 campsites will be added to campgrounds in B.C.’s provincial parks and over 1,000 more sites will also be built in recreation sites.

Campsite expansion will occur in all regions of the province. However the majority will be where demand is greatest in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver, Okanagan and the Kootenays. Focusing on both provincial parks and recreation sites enables targeted improvements to the highest demand areas.

Included in the BC Parks campsite expansion is construction of new sites, as well as any associated infrastructure, including roads, water/sewer expansion, electrical upgrades, shower/toilet buildings and outhouse facilities. New campground developments will also incorporate accessible design standards. Included in the recreation site expansion is construction of new sites, as well as associated infrastructure, such as roads and outhouse facilities.

Expansion will be supported by increased funding to address project administration and operating and maintenance costs, ensuring the long term investment in these provincial assets.

Recreational facilities and accessibility

People living with disabilities should be able to enjoy outdoor activities with no barriers.

The BC Parks Future Strategy aims to improve accessibility within provincial parks.

To support the goal of frontcountry campgrounds and day-use areas all having accessible campsites, toilets, natural features and parking areas, BC Parks will undergo accessibility audits and assessments.

In addition, BC Parks will seek out partnership opportunities with disability advocates to fund enhanced accessibility features in each of the five park regions.

Taking conservation in BC Parks to a new level

Increasing the number of park rangers

The BC Parks Future Strategy will increase the number of park rangers around the province.

Park rangers duties range from maintaining trails and campsites, to monitoring wildlife habitats and species at risk, to ensuring guests are aware of risks posed by dangerous animals such as bears and cougars.

Employing more ranger staff will not only improve the ecological integrity and safety in the BC Parks system, it will create employment and skills training opportunities in many rural areas, and help boost economic activity in rural parts of B.C.

Discover BC Parks: Connecting people to nature

The BC Parks Future Strategy will include an array of outreach tools designed to engage the public directly where they live, especially people who might not normally seek out a BC Parks experience.

The Discover BC Parks program will open the door to the world of BC Parks through interactive mobile learning spaces, mobile apps, online activities and projects for children, and volunteer-led outreach programs.

Helping understand and fight climate change

British Columbia is a recognized world leader in the fight against climate change and B.C.’s park system can act as a natural laboratories.

B.C. has an exceptional range of major ecosystems with 16 biogeoclimatic zones, from low elevation to high, and from temperate to polar. British Columbia’s mountainous terrain could play an important role in biodiversity retention in face of climate change because temperatures rise as elevation increases.

The Province will strengthen its understanding of climate change even further by opening parks to universities and climate-related agencies as living laboratories, to measure and monitor the impact of climate change on ecosystems and wildlife. This in turn will help ensure provincial policies and programs are making a difference.

Protecting World Heritage

BC Parks will work with interested community groups and the federal government to propose B.C.’s most treasured parks as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Working toward achieving the honour of UNESCO World Heritage recognition gives an opportunity to focus conservation efforts and recognize the role they play in preserving B.C.’s natural legacy.

Connecting BC Parks to communities

First Nations communities

Respect for Aboriginal traditions and communities will be an important part of the future of BC Parks. BC Parks would like to invite First Nations communities and Aboriginal groups to express their culture and heritage through BC Parks, and in so doing share their perspectives on nature and history to the broader community.

These opportunities may provide avenues for Aboriginal elders and youth to reconnect with their culture and traditions, and connect other communities to theirs. Parks and recreational facilities can serve as the stage to help promote Indigenous culture, to honour First Nations’ history and the spiritual importance of their ancestral lands.

Parks advisory council

A parks advisory council will serve to provide the Minister of Environment with the opportunity to engage knowledgeable stakeholders on the BC Parks Future Strategy, both in terms of defining its goals and successes and building a path to achieve them.

Community liaisons

In order to encourage more public participation, community liaison rangers will be hired to establish relationships and partnerships throughout the province with local governments, community groups, businesses, advocacy organizations, school groups and the public at large.

These liaisons will head volunteer committees that will seek out feedback and public participation in the operation of local parks.

New opportunities to support BC Parks

Following government’s significant investments in BC Parks, these revenues will be entirely dedicated to supporting the mission of BC Parks and its legacy: conservation, recreation, accessibility and bringing people together.

Licence plates

In partnership with the Insurance Corporation of BC, the Province will introduce a series of specialty licence plates depicting scenes from B.C.’s parks and recreational areas. They will allow vehicle owners to show their support, while ensuring BC Parks has additional funds to invest in new programs and improvements.

Loyalty card

BC Parks will study the potential for a loyalty card program that would provide discounts to users for recreational consumer items, while generating additional revenues to support BC Parks.

In selecting retailers to be part of the program, BC Parks will look for those firms with a strong environmental mission and commitment to stewardship that is consistent with the BC Parks brand.

Corporate sponsorships

BC Parks will be looking for corporate sponsors/partners that have a good environmental track record in support of conservation initiatives.

Personal giving

BC Parks is launching a new online credit card portal to make it easier to make a donation towards a favourite park. BC Parks will also launch a planned giving program to assist those who wish to do so to leave a lasting legacy through contributions willed to BC Parks from their estate.

Ric Careless, chair, Campaign for BC Parks –

"Our parks are core to what it means to be British Columbian. World-class in size and splendour, they are arks for wildlife and ancient forests. The 'super' in ‘Super, Natural B.C.’, they attract people to visit, to settle, to invest in our economy and our lifestyle. Our parks are where youth, families, First Nations, new Canadians -all our citizens, can come together, to play, to discover and to celebrate life.

“So today, by investing in British Columbia's parks, our government is re-committing to take good care of these special lands we love so much. And for that, I am deeply grateful."

Rick Hansen, CEO, Rick Hansen Foundation –

“The Rick Hansen Foundation is excited by the launch of the BC Parks Future Strategy. By incorporating accessible design standards into new campground developments and other park infrastructure, B.C. can be a world leader in creating an accessible, inclusive environment for all. We welcome the opportunity to partner with the B.C. government and other stakeholders to successfully implement this plan.”

Clarence Louie, Chief, Osoyoos Indian Band –

“The BC Parks Future Strategy acknowledges and commits BC Parks to develop government-to-government relationships with First Nations based on respect and recognition of Aboriginal title and rights in order to promote a long-term reconciliation. The Osoyoos Indian Band fully supports the strategy and has experienced first hand the benefit of developing a government-to-government relationship with BC Parks. This relationship has had a positive impact on our community through the recognition of the First Nations historical place names and the creation of new opportunities to reconnect to these historically, culturally and spiritually significant areas in our territory.”

Brenda Baptiste, chair, Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia –

“This strategy will also enhance the growth of a prosperous Aboriginal tourism industry within the province of B.C. by connecting visitors to exceptional, authentic Aboriginal experiences. While celebrating First Nations heritage and cultural values, the BC Parks Future Strategy will also assist AtBC in advancing a competitive and socially conscious Aboriginal tourism industry, while contributing to Aboriginal cultural understanding and economic prosperity.”

David Labistour, CEO, Mountain Equipment Co-op –

“Well-maintained and plentiful provincial campsites, especially in areas of high demand, are integral to supporting British Columbians to lead healthy outdoor lifestyles. We welcome the Province’s commitment to add 1,900 new campsites, improve BC Parks infrastructure and hire more park rangers.

“The social, environmental and economic returns on these investments will be of lasting benefit to British Columbians well into the future.”

Jim Glaicar, president, BC Wildlife Federation –

“I commend the Premier’s announcement and the government’s commitment of providing a sustainable funding model for BC Parks. The investment to improve and increase the number of campsites will increase the access, enjoyment and appreciation of B.C.'s great outdoors.”

Jeremy McCall, executive director, Outdoor Recreation Council –

"Many of the Outdoor Recreation Council's 100,000 or more members recreate in the backcountry of B.C.'s amazing provincial parks. This wide ranging new program, which will include more campsites in the parks as well as  recreation sites elsewhere on Crown land, will be welcomed by our members. We are especially pleased to note the proposal  to increase the number of park rangers, which will be a huge benefit for recreation in the back country."

Nancy Wilkin, president, Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia –

“The Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia commends the Province of British Columbia for having created one of the most magnificent park systems in the world, and now we are thrilled to be recognizing the Premier of British Columbia for her leadership today in establishing a legacy for the sustainability of BC Parks.

“This announcement represents a comprehensive set of innovative initiatives which, when fully implemented, will result in an incredible opportunity for First Nations, communities, families and corporate B.C. to become directly engaged in the future of BC Parks. As elders, we are here to help. We are here to extend our wisdom, our learnings and our knowledge and we are here to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made today’s announcement possible.”

Bob Peart, executive director, Sierra Club BC –

“British Columbia’s biodiversity is globally significant because of its variety and integrity. To support this rich web-of-life we need an equally strong system of parks and protected areas. Today’s announcement is, therefore, welcome and is a strong step toward restoring the funding and infrastructure base for one of the finest park systems in the world.”

Alan Burger, president, BC Nature –

“I’m delighted with this announcement. It is essential to strengthen connections between people and nature. Providing increased support to BC Parks will not only benefit wildlife, but will also benefit people, through improved physical and spiritual health. A healthy BC Parks system contributes to healthy people.”

Kevin Smith, president, Wilderness Tourism Association –

“The Wilderness Tourism Association of BC applauds the move by the B.C. government to re-invest in our provincial parks. B.C. provincial parks conserve many of the iconic landscapes, wildlife and vegetation that draw millions of tourists to the province every year. The adventure tourism experiences in B.C. are truly world class and unparalleled in North America, with provincial parks making a significant contribution to the provinces tourism draw and local economies. Our provincial parks play an important role for most of the adventure tourism businesses represented by the Wilderness Tourism Association of BC. Ensuring their ongoing stewardship, upkeep and conservation of the natural and cultural resources will help B.C.’s tourism industry remain vibrant and sustainable into the future.”

Eddie Wood, president, BC Society of Park Operators –

“The BC Society of Park Operators has been encouraging BC Parks to increase camping capacity and is delighted with the news of additional sites. These new sites will provide greater access for B.C. residents and visitors to camp throughout B.C.”