Roadside parking bans have been implemented at several popular tourist sites and trailheads in Banff National Park in order to avoid a serious accident.
New parking rules include four areas of the park, including Bourgeau and Redearth Creek trailheads off the busy Trans-Canada Highway, as well as tourist hotspots at Johnston Canyon and Lake Minnewanka.
Police and Parks Canada have been in discussions amid fears a person could be hit as they weave in and out of traffic, a serious crash, or, at some locations, a lineup of vehicles hampering emergency vehicles trying to get through.
“This all hinges on public safety,” said Greg Danchuk, visitor experience manager for Banff National Park, noting in some cases it’s also hazardous to wildlife.
“It will be enforced under national park regulations. Tickets can be issued and our law enforcement personnel could have a vehicle towed.”
There are restrictions at Lake Minnewanka as well as Johnston Canyon, where as many as 300 vehicles spilled out from the parking lot and onto Bow Valley Parkway last summer.
No-parking and no-stopping signs have been set up along the Trans-Canada, and medians, at the trailheads for Bourgeau and Redearth Creek, both of which are popular hikes in the Bow Valley.
Danchuk said it was proving difficult for people driving out of the parking areas to see oncoming traffic with a lengthy line of vehicles parked along the side of the highway. People were also parking in the medians.
“People were parking there and dodging cars to get across the highway,” he said.
Ever increasing visitation to Banff National Park has led to congestion and parking woes throughout the park. It’s expected to get even worse this year given entry to parks is free.
Last year drew 3.9 million visitors to Banff and, according to Parks Canada, visitation in April was up more than six per cent that month compared to last April, and May was up 10 per cent.
Vehicle counts are reportedly up 6.5 per cent, and it’s not the busy summer yet.
