Parks across Canada - Canada’s Parks Day, an annual celebration showcasing the nature and history of the country, will take place nationwide on Saturday, July 16th.
The theme for this 22nd Parks Day is Canada’s Parks ~ Real Nature, Real History, Real Experiences that reminds us of the natural beauty and educational experiences awaiting visitors in parks, as well as the sense of history found in many parks and our historic sites.
Step away from your computers, televisions and smart phones for a day and come out, explore and enjoy all that Canadian national parks, national historic sites, provincial, territorial and municipal parks have to offer on this special day dedicated to celebrating our nation’s parks.
Then, after you’ve explored, learned and rejuvenated yourself in the great Canadian outdoors, use your form of technology to share your experience by visiting the Canada’s Parks Day facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Canadas-Parks-Day/204963796188803.
2011 is a special year for Parks Canada, commemorating 100 years of world-class conservation.
“Parks Canada’s centennial is a reason for all Canadians to be proud,” said Minister Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister in a May Parks Canada news release.
As the world’s first national service dedicated to protecting and presenting natural and historical treasures, Parks Canada has helped set the bar for other countries around the world to build a legacy that future generations can be proud of and will continue to benefit from.”
In British Columbia, BC Parks is also celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the creation of Strathcona Provincial Park, the first park in what is now Canada’s largest provincial park system. To celebrate, there are special Parks Day events happening all across the province that showcase these amazing natural, recreational and cultural treasures, so there is no better time to come out and enjoy their tremendous parks system.
After you visit, BC Parks invites you to log on to Facebook and share photos or stories on the BC Parks facebook page at: www.facebook.com/yourBCParks.
And in Manitoba, twenty-three of their eighty-five provincial parks are turning 50 in 2011. Also, Manitoba is highlighting the 80th anniversary of the provincial forest reserves, many of which are now parks.
First celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is a great opportunity for Canadians and visitors to the country to enjoy and discover the treasures and natural beauty that exists all around us in parks and historic sites from coast to coast to coast. People of all ages are invited to learn more about the nature and history of Canada by participating in Parks Day festivities.
From nature walks to canoe tours, art displays, kite making workshops, lumberjack demonstrations and events this year focused on biodiversity, the choice in events is as vast as the beauty within the thousands of Canadian parks and historic sites.
There are many great events taking place all across the country. For further information on events that are taking place in a park or historic site close to you, please visit www.parksday.ca and click on “events”. After choosing your province or territory on the map, you will be provided with a listing of all events taking place there with times and descriptions for each. Check the website often as events are registered right up until a few days before July 16th.
Canada's Parks Day
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BACKGROUNDER
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Strathcona Provincial Park – The Seeds and Salt Theatre will be putting on unique and hilarious
historical plays at 10:30 am and 3 pm. As well, at Butttle Lake Campground from 1-3 pm, there will
face painting, interpretive activities, guided walks, kids beach activities, first nation cultural dancing,
birthday cake and more all in celebration of Stratchcona’s 100th Anniversary.
Contact: Strathcona Park at 250-474-1336
Tyhee Lake Park – Join local First Nations for arts and crafts Gidames Aboriginal dancers, Louie
Singers, free Ward Canoe rides, presentation on first National traditional medicines and teas, displays
on the history of the park, BBQ hosted by Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre and BC Parks.
Contact: Tyhee Lake Park at 250-638-8490
ALBERTA
Cypress Hills Provincial Park – An Art & Pottery Show and Sale, Bike Rodeo, Fireworks plus
wildlife bus tours, discovery packs and geocaching is all part of Parks Day.
- Contact: CypressHills@gov.ab.ca
William A. Switzer Provincial Park – Many things to take part in including a Pancake Breakfast,
hands-on spearthrowing, aquatic invertebrates, leech contest, face-painting, low ropes obstacle course,
mascots, various displays, prizes and more.
Contact: Scott.Sunderwald@gov.ab.ca
SASKATCHEWAN
Moose Mountain Provincial Park – From 1 – 5 pm at the Visitor Centre Lawn take part in the 80th
Anniversary Chalet Garden Party! Enjoy tea, entertainment and activities.
Contact: moose.mountain@gov.sk.ca
MANITOBA
Whiteshell Provincial Park – Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the park with a Bannock Bake and
learn about its’ importance in early exploration. Draw for prizes too!
Contact: Carlyn.McNabb@gov.mb.ca
Spruce Woods Provincial Park – Come out to be a detective and discover the rich diversity of parks
and the wildlife that live within their borders. 1 pm
Contact: Carolyn.McNabb@gov.mb.ca
ONTARIO
Awenda Provincial Park – Join Kevin Callan, author of “The Happy Camper” for a fun evening.
Come and see this incredibly engaging speaker look at camping and how make the most of it.
Contact: awenda@csolve.net
Presqui’ile Provincial Park – A children’s program, “Shipwrecks & Pirates Aye”, invites young
sailors to join the ship headed into Lake Ontario.
Contact – david.bree@ontario.ca
Quetico Provincial Park – Experience Quetico Canoe and Kayak Symposium through the Friends of
Quetico Park for a fun-filled day of trying a racing canoe or sea kayak out.
Contact – susan.bourne@ontario.ca
QUEBEC
Les Forges-du-Saint-Maurice National Historic Site of Canada – Meet the King’s Engineer,
Chausegros de Lery, watch a demonstration of traditional wood-turning and enjoy a theatre
presentation « La farce de mouleur » by students of Chauvigny Secondary School.
Contact: 819 378-5116
NOVA SCOTIA
Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park - This event will allow participants to engage in some outdoor
activities as well as solve some clues while learning about nature. Suitable for the entire family! Preregistration
is required. . Please bring running shoes, water, snacks, and sunscreen. Meet at the beach
house at the park. Sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.
Contact: (902) 648-3540 or naussda@gov.ns.ca.
Five Islands Provincial Park - Bring the entire family to celebrate our park's birthday by joining
Gerald Gloade as he tracks the Mi'kmaq journey using a geological connection. This is a slide show
presentation that explores the Aboriginal Legends surrounding the park and the Mi'kmaq culture. Meet
at the park office. Bring insect repellent and a lawn chair. Sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department
of Natural Resources.
Contact: (902) 354-2980 or fiveislandspark@ns.aliantzinc.ca .
NEW BRUNSWICK
Beaubears Island National Historic Site – Step back into history and meet characters as they lived
and worked.
Contact: info@beaubearisland.ca
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
Gros Morne National Park of Canada
It’s a shed party at Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse! Eat local food, listen to traditional music, and
celebrate with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at Gros Morne National Park.
Contact: grosmorne.info @pc.gc.ca
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Jak Territorial Park in Inuvik will have a visitor BBQ, tourism displays and an environmental
exhibit.
McKinnon Park in Norman Wells will also be hosting a visitor BBQ with kids games and giveaways
Hay River will have a beach BBQ and family fun day
Mission Park in Fort Smith has collaborated with the Northern Lights Museum and will also offer a
BBQ
Contact for all events: Benji Straker - Benji_Straker@gov.nt.ca, (867) 920-6206
NUNAVUT
Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park – Join the fun including a Bioblitz event for the children, a bannock
making competition and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will have a display of the lifecycle of
fish. Also, the Nunavut Research Institute will have their summer students demonstrate how to collect
river bugs and insects.
Contact: Melodie Sammurtok - msammurtok3@gov.nu.ca, (867) 975-7727
YUKON
Tombstone Territorial Park – celebratory opening of new Beaver Pond Interpretive Trail takes
place on Monday, July 18th. Potluck supper at 5:30 pm and unique mountain view coffee house.
Bring an instrument!
Contact: tombstonecentre@gmail.com
S.S. Klondike National Historic Site – Family fun event to celebrate Parks Canada 100th anniversary.
Music, games, learning activities, face painting and cake.
Contact: kate.alexander@pc.gc.ca, (867) 667-3903
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