Manitoba campgrounds are once again ready to welcome campers for another year of enjoying the great outdoors in Manitoba. This announcement was made by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff.
“We have made many improvements in the past couple of years and continue to upgrade our facilities,” Minister Nevakshonoff said. “I know people are excited to get out and enjoy provincial parks, and we’re ready to host them all across the province.”
Many significant improvements have been undertaken in recent years and more work will get started this year, the minister said. Some examples of projects already complete or near completion this year include:
- expansion of a lake and swimming area expected to open in June at Birds Hill Park,
- construction of a new sewage lagoon and lift stations at Spruce Woods Provincial Park,
- installation of a new sewage treatment facilities for Stephenfield Provincial Park and Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park,
- construction of a new washroom and shower building at Stephenfield Provincial Park, and
- construction of a new washroom and shower building at St. Malo Provincial Park.
In addition, six new short-haul backcountry walk-in tenting sites have been added at the Tulabi Falls campground. These backcountry sites are intended to help new backcountry campers learn the ropes or provide a quick weekend wilderness getaway, the minister said, adding these sites can be reserved through the Manitoba Parks Reservation Service.
The Watchorn Provincial Park is open again after damage from flooding and high water. A new washroom and shower building is complete and the new camp office is almost complete, Minister Nevakshonoff said.
The road work leading to the Assessippi campground has also been completed, eliminating the need for a detour into the park. Minsiter Nevakshonoff said the province is well on its way to fulfilling an eight-year, $100-million upgrade to provincial parks. He noted improvements will also be made to the Mantagao Wildlife Management Area’s roads and camping sites.
All campgrounds are opened as scheduled today, with the exception of the lower campground at Kitche Manitou, which is slated to be opened in mid-June, the minister said.
Manitobans are reminded to buy an annual provincial park entry pass, especially if they are frequent provincial park visitors. Passes are available at park offices, online through Canada Map Sales at www.canadamapsales.com, and anywhere hunting and fishing licences are sold. Annual passes are also available at Manitoba Liquor Mart locations and Manitoba Public Insurance service centres.
Minister Nevakshonoff said once again, the May long weekend will be liquor free in all campgrounds, group-use areas and yurts, as well as cabins in the Camp Morton and Hecla/Grindstone provincial parks. Some liquor-free campsites will be available all season in designated spots at Grand Beach and Birds Hill provincial parks. The sites are bays six, nine and 10 at Grand Beach, and Oriole and Grackle bays in Birds Hill Park.
Approximately 29,000 campsites have been booked through the Manitoba Parks Reservation Service so far this year but many sites are available at campgrounds across the province. To make a reservation, visit www.manitobaparks.com.
The minister noted parks investments and expansions support priorities outlined in Building the Parks Province: Manitoba’s Parks Strategy, a review and public consultation document that outlines changes designed to strengthen the province’s parks system.
