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Two hikers take in the wilds of Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park. (CP Photo)
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INDEPTH: PARKS
Canada's Parks Day
CBC News Online | July 15, 2005
Canada's parks are doing quite well, according to the National Geographic Traveler. In its July/August 2005 edition, the publication ranked British Columbia's Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site first on a list of 55 Canadian and American National Parks.
The survey ranks six Canadian parks in the top 16. The magazine credits Canada's conservationist approach to its parks system for the good showing.
Canada's parks are set up primarily to protect the environment. But in the U.S., the Natural Park Service is required to protect nature – but must also promote outdoor recreation. Those two mandates can conflict when a lot of people show up.
One of the American panellists who came up with the list said, "Canadians in general take their government's role in preserving parks more seriously. U.S. parks are now forced to be more self-sufficient."
Other Canadian parks in the top 16 were Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Gros Morne National Park, Yoho National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park and Jasper National Park.
Since 1990, the third Saturday in July has been set aside to showcase Canada's national and provincial parks – as well as national historic sites, territorial parks and community and regional parks.
In 2004, nearly 50,000 people took part in more than 300 Canada's Parks Day events from Vancouver Island to Baffin Island to Newfoundland and Labrador. Organizers set up events such as:
- Nature walks, canoe tours and rafting trips.
- Eco-challenge hikes.
- Traditional aboriginal food, crafts, music and storytelling.
- Wildflower walks.
- Campfires with interpretation, songs and skits.
- Art displays by Canadian artists.
- Kite making workshops.
- Lumberjack competitions and demonstrations.
- Water-themed activities.
- Historical demonstrations including rope making, cooking, candle making and Morse code.
Complete details on Canada's Parks Day are available at http://www.parksday.ca/eng/canadamap.html
For information on provincial parks across Canada go to:
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