Gatineau Park representatives say changing the way people get to and from the park could help protect it. (Nick Gamache/CBC)

Soon, fewer visitors might be travelling through Gatineau Park with their car windows down and their stereos turned up — the National Capital Commission is working on a transit plan it hopes will slash the number of cars that drive to and through the park.

Park director Marie Boulet said giving visitors transit alternatives would be good for the heavily used green space.

"It is not uncommon that we have real traffic congestion in the park," she said. "We're concerned with the impact motor vehicles can have on the park environment. But also on the recreational experience in the park."

Boulet said the NCC is currently gathering data in order to come up with alternatives to cars, which could include building transit links inside the park.

The National Capital Commission says 1.7 million people visit Gatineau Park each year, and more than 80 per cent of them arrive by car. (Nick Gamache/CBC)

Chad Nelson, who drove to visit the park with a canoe strapped on top of his van, said that for hikers, reducing parking delays would improve the experience.

"I know the lineups are crazy around Pink Lake, going to a beautiful lookout," he said. "It is crazy to have nature traffic jams like they have in American parks."

Alex Procter, another park user, however, said convincing people to change their ways might be difficult.

"Considering how many locations people are coming from that come here, and the different time schedules," he said, giving up the freedom a car offers might be hard for some visitors.

Officials with the NCC said they would consult with the public before finalizing their new transportation plan, which they hope to unveil by the spring of 2011.