Two Projects For BC Parks — “Firsts”
BC Parks recently celebrated Canada’s Parks Day with two unique projects that provide more opportunities for people to experience the great outdoors.
Twenty-five new cabins are now available at Cultus Lake Provincial Park and 22 electric sites with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are open at Mount Robson Provincial Park. Both projects are a first for BC Parks.
“Our parks are important for bringing families and communities together, improving our health and well-being, and protecting critical habitat for various species,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “The new cabins provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy a night at Cultus Lake, and the EV charging stations at Mount Robson make clean transportation more accessible for the growing number of British Columbians taking advantage of CleanBC initiatives.”
Constructed with the help of volunteers from GW Graham Middle school and the Canadian Armed Forces, the 18.6 square-metre (200 square-foot) cabins are suitable for up to five people and cost $90 per night. Located at the Maple Bay Campground, the cabins include a covered patio with a picnic table and stainless-steel cooking surface. Guests must bring their own bedding, dishes and cooking stoves.
The 22 electric sites recently added to the Robson River Campground make Mount Robson the first provincial park in northeast B.C. to offer hook ups. The sites include an RV charging station and an EV charging connection with 50 amp service.
“We are opening up more opportunities for people to come explore BC Parks and experience super, natural British Columbia,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “The tourism industry is a major contributor to our provincial economy, supporting strong communities and creating good-paying jobs for people across the province.”
The cabins and electric sites can be reserved on discovercamping.ca and are part of the 2019 campground expansions. Ranging from walk-in sites to marine sites, a total of 364 campsites are being added to 13 parks throughout the province in regions with the highest demand – the Lower Mainland, Thompson-Okanagan, Kootenay Rockies and Mount Robson. Another 232 sites are being added to 12 forestry recreation sites.
Held on the third Saturday of July, Parks Day is a national day to recognize the importance of parks for creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems, protecting critical habitat for species at risk and contributing to human health and well-being. Educational and family-oriented events are held in parks and historic sites across the country.
