Premier Christy Clark and Environment Minister Terry Lake launched BC Parks centennial celebrations May 2 by announcing that parking will now be free in all provincial parks to encourage families to take advantage of our world-class parks system.
"The parking meters are coming out and parking will be free, effective immediately, so that British Columbia's parks are even more welcoming for families," said Clark in a news release. "Our parks not only contribute to a healthy lifestyle and protect our environment, they are important to our economy. More park visitors mean more tourism dollars and more jobs for rural British Columbians and we want to eliminate any barriers to using the parks."
The province also announced a $500,000 Community Legacy Program to support communities while they celebrate the BC Parks centennial. The funding will be used to improve parks across the province. Community groups can apply for up to $20,000 for projects such as trail enhancements, improvements that support recreational activities or conservation of a park's ecology or cultural history. These projects will provide a lasting commemoration of BC Parks 100.
"BC Parks are a part of who we are," added Lake. "They help define us as British Columbians, and show that we care deeply about our environment and our planet. The new legacy fund looks to the future and the improvements we can continue to make, and it looks to the past 100 years by recognizing that community groups have played a key role in making the parks and protected areas system what it is today."
While we celebrate BC Parks 100, park visitors will be the ones getting the birthday gifts through a number of promotions throughout the year. Starting soon, people can share photos or stories from a BC Parks adventure at www.facebook.com/YourBCParks and then go to www.bcparks.ca to submit their name for a random draw of a BC Parks birthday pack to make your next park visit more enjoyable.
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