Alberta Parks Campsite Reservation Service Update
June 2008
The Alberta Parks campsite reservation service has been unusually busy since reservations began on May 1st. Staff process calls as quickly as possible but callers may still be greeted with busy signals occasionally over the course of the summer.
The department is currently planning a new online reservation service to make it easier for visitors to reserve campsites in provincial parks and recreation areas. In the future, campers will be able to call or go online to reserve their campsite.
There are a number of complex issues that need to be addressed before online reservations will be available (e.g. not all of our sites have Internet connections); however, we hope to pilot online reservations at select sites as early as spring 2009.
Liquor Bans - Victoria Day Long Weekend 2009 Alberta Parks is
implementing liquor bans at several provincial parks on the 2009 Victoria
Day Long Weekend. The bans will be in effect from 12:00 noon Thursday
May 14, 2009 until 6:00 p.m. Monday May 18, 2009 at the following sites:
- Aspen Beach Provincial Park (located on Gull Lake 17 kilometres west
of Lacombe)
- Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park Alberta (located 50 kilometres
southeast of Medicine Hat)
- Dillberry Lake Provincial Park (located 75 kilometres south of
Lloydminster)
- Garner Lake Provincial Park (located 55 kilometres northeast of
Smoky Lake)
- Miquelon Lake Provincial Park (located 60 kilometres southeast of
Edmonton)
- Pigeon Lake Provincial Park (located 105 kilometres southwest of
Edmonton)
- Wabamun Lake Provincial Park (located 60 kilometres west of
Edmonton)
- Whitney Lakes Provincial Park (located 24 kilometres east of Elk
Point)
The ban prohibits possession and consumption of liquor at all
campgrounds and group use areas within the affected parks.
Pierre Grey's Lakes Provincial Park Construction Notice
August 2008
Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation began construction upgrades at
Pierre Grey's Lakes Provincial Park. Construction work will continue
until October 31, 2008 and consists of the following:
- rehabilitation of 2 existing cook shelters (painting/staining and
new pexi-glass windows)
- painting/staining of all existing garbage bins, wood bins, fish
cleaning stands, gates
- additional granular (gravel) placement on all camping loop roadways,
camping activity sites, and parking areas
- enlargement/correct pull-in angles to some camp sites. (To
accommodate larger trailers)
- installation of new fire pits to all campsites and day uses areas.
(88)
- installation of seven new single combination washroom buildings.
Removal of seven old washroom buildings
- installation of two information kiosks
- installation of new signage throughout park
- brushing/hazardous tree removal on all main access roadways, camping
loop roadways, and camping sites
- installation of new protective surfacing on the existing playground
There may be come disruption in recreational and camping activities, with
closures occurring in certain areas of the park including campground loops,
while construction is taking place.
The public's understanding and co-operation is appreciated.
William A.Switzer Provincial Park Construction Notice
Alberta Tourism, Parks Recreation and Culture began a major upgrade to Wm. A. Switzer Provincial Park this spring. Work is ongoing with an expected completion date of 2009.
Currently, the Beaver Ranch group use area is the only area that remains closed; all other areas are open.
Please be advised that the Gregg lake campground will be closed for the 2008 camping season. All other camping and day use areas in the park will remain open.
To date upgrades include:
- refurbishing the Jarvis lake and Cache lake campgrounds (expanded campsites, new gravel, picnic tables and stoves);
- road and shoreline improvements to Jarvis Day use;
- expanding the Beaver Ranch group camp
- resurfacing the Kelley's bathtub trail;
Upgrades for 2008 will include:
- replacing the water system at Gregg Lake Campground
- refurbishing the Gregg lake campsites
- building a group camping area at Gregg Lake
- building a new connector trail from Jarvis lake to Gregg lake
- building a new amphitheatre at Gregg lake and...
- new signage throughout the park
For updates on current and future closures or for further information please contact the Kelley's Bathtub Visitor Centre @ 780-865-5600.
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park Construction Update
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park construction work will continue into 2008. The park will be open year-round; however, various locations throughout the park will remain closed to the public. Loop 'A' campground will be open to campers and visitors can use the day use, beach and trail areas. Access to group use areas is limited due to upgrading. Construction signs will be posted in the park to ensure public safety. Please comply with all notices & directions.
Improvements to the park include:
- new park entrance booth
- new park administration building (from which visitor information & other services will be provided)
- campground refurbishing, including improved campsites, new gravel, and new picnic tables and stoves
- construction of new and retrofitting of existing washroom/shower buildings
- improvements to the park’s day use area, including constructing a large new washroom building, retrofitting the existing washroom building and upgrading the day use parking area
- improvements to the park’s group use areas, including constructing new shelters and washrooms, and creating two-way access to the park’s group campgrounds
- re-paving asphalt trails throughout the park
Other day use, camping and group use facilities to consider visiting in central Alberta include:
- Wabamun Lake Provincial Park, newly upgraded and located 60 km west of Edmonton just off Hwy. 16A.
- Pembina River Provincial Park, located 105 km west of Edmonton, just off Hwy. 16.
- Pigeon Lake Provincial Park, 105 km southwest of Edmonton, off Secondary Hwy. 771.
- Cross Lake Provincial Park, 150 km north of Edmonton off Hwy. 44.
- Garner Lake Provincial Park, 180 km northeast of Edmonton off Hwy. 28.
- Vermilion Provincial Park, 190 km east of Edmonton just north of Hwy. 16.
- Whitney Lakes Provincial Park, 275 km east of Edmonton on Secondary Hwy. 646.
- Cold Lake Provincial Park, located 280 km northeast of Edmonton, just 3 km northeast of the Town of Cold Lake off Hwy. 28.
English Bay Provincial Recreation Area Construction Update
English Bay Provincial Recreation Area will remain closed
to the public until 2010 so that archaeological research can be carried out and so that upgrading and construction projects begun in 2006 can be completed.
Improvements to the recreation area include:
- campground redesign & expansion
- addition of several power sites
- construction of new trails
- installation of new water wells
- re-routing of access road
- construction of new day use area
- construction of new maintenance compound
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
Visitor Services and Programs
The Writing-on-Stone visitor centre is staffed by Information Officers
and Park Interpreters year-round with a gallery of interactive displays,
theatre, and gift shop. Current annual hours of operation for
2008/2009 are as follows:
Victoria Day (May Long) Weekend - Labour Day Weekend:
(May 17 - September 1, 2008), (May 16-August 31,2009)
Open All Week
9:00am - 7:00pm
Labour Day Weekend - Thanksgiving Weekend:
(September 2 - October 13, 2008)
Open Thursday - Sunday & Holiday Mondays
10:00am - 4:00pm
Thanksgiving Weekend - Easter Weekend:
(October 14 - April 13, 2009)
Open Saturday - Sunday & Holiday Mondays
10:00am - 4:00pm
Easter Weekend - Victoria Day (May Long) Weekend:
(Apirl 14 - May 15, 2009)
Open Thursday - Sunday & Holiday Mondays
10:00am - 4:00pm
|
