Manitobans and visitors alike are invited to take advantage of free access to all provincial parks this weekend as part of the 27th annual Canada’s Parks Day celebrations. This announcement was made by Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox.
“We know Manitobans love the outdoors and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to explore our great province,” Cox said. “Whether you’re planning a day trip to the beach or a longer vacation getaway, there is no shortage of familiar destinations and many new improvements just waiting in Manitoba parks and campgrounds.”
Visitors to provincial parks will not require park vehicle permits from July 15 to 17 and, in addition to free entry, a number of special events, tours and activities have been planned, the minister said. She added nightly camping fees and fees in national parks will still apply.
Manitoba provincial parks offer numerous Parks Day-themed programs including campfire talks, guided walks and amphitheatre presentations. These programs are designed to showcase each park’s natural, cultural and historical resources.
Some highlights of the many interpretive programs this weekend include:
- guided tours of restored homes from the 19th-century French community at the St. Norbert Provincial Heritage Park from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Monday,
- meeting conservation officers in the St. Malo Provincial Park Friday evening and learning how they protect and manage the province’s natural resources,
- wildlife ambassadors from Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre presentation at Birds Hill Provincial Park on Saturday,
- learning to canoe and a guided paddle of Marshs Lake in the Spruce Woods Provincial Park on Saturday and a guided hike of the Spirit Sands on Sunday, and
- guided walks through the historical Hecla Village in the Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park and the Bannock Point Petroforms in the Whiteshell Provincial Park on Sunday.
Other parks have special celebrations planned including Asessippi, Bakers Narrows, Clearwater Lake, Duck Mountain, Grass River, Manipogo, Nopiming and Wekusko Falls provincial parks.
For information on these and other Canada’s Parks Day events, visit www.manitobaparks.com.
