All but two of the provincial parks on the Sunshine Coast are on the list to reopen for day use for the long weekend.
Premier John Horgan announced the plan to reopen most parks in the province as he was outlining the BC Restart Plan on May 6.
“Gathering outside is a good thing,” Horgan said. “Physical well-being, mental well-being – all are added to when we get outside and enjoy the splendour of British Columbia. But we must do so in a safe manner. We can’t congregate in large groups. When you visit a provincial park do so mindful of the people around you and observe physical distancing.”
BC Parks said that as of May 14 it would open “many front- and back-country trails, beaches, picnic areas, washroom facilities and boat launches for day use.”
Tetrahedron Provincial Park and the Garden Bay Marine Park are not scheduled to reopen but other favourite local destinations such as Smuggler Cove, the Skookumchuck, Porpoise Bay, Roberts Creek and Plumper Cove are on the list.
BC Parks said it has focused on reopening “day-use parks and protected areas that can accommodate measured use and lower environmental impacts and which can also maintain physical distancing guidelines,” as well as parks where it will be easy to maintain service levels around garbage collection, pit toilet and washroom upkeep and monitor gates and entry points.
BC Parks is also advising against travelling to destinations outside your own region.
“As we get back outdoors, please stay local and only visit the parks that are closest to your home,” BC Parks said in a question-and-answer section of its website.
“While we all look forward to future road trips and exploring new parks, we need to ensure small communities are not overwhelmed by people who are not following advice to avoid non-essential travel.”
Campgrounds are expected to reopen at most provincial parks on June 1.
