In an effort to upgrade and improve features for campers, recreation areas in the Ghost Public Land Use Zone in Kananaskis will receive $2.5 million from the provincial government.
The funds will be used to widen campground roads and campsites to allow for larger RVs, as well as for installation of bear-proof garbage bins and new washroom facilities.
Included will be improved signage and trails to provide better connections from existing campgrounds to trail systems.
The funds are part of a $25.6 million package slated for the next five years in Kananaskis. Current funding will see work start this fall, with completion by 2018-19 for the Waiparous Creek Public Recreation Area (PRA), along with Ghost Airstrip PRA, Fallen Timber and Burnt Timbers PRAs and the Red Deer River PRA.
Adding power options for additional campsites will be included, said Banff-Cochrane MLA Cam Westhead.
“We realized there hadn’t been a significant investment there in quite some time and it will help with bringing in more tourists and the visitor experience.
“It will help show people the outdoors in our area and with improved roads and signage, it will be a better experience.
“When you have an investment, you have to have some upkeep or it falls apart. We think this is a wise investment.”
The Waiparous area in particular has a poor reputation as one where random campers gather and, in the past, has been singled out as a location where garbage, empty bottles, fire pits, old furniture and destroyed camping equipment is regularly left behind.
Waiparous has also been the scene of law enforcement agency crackdowns to reduce speeding and liquor violations and environmental damage.
“We’ve heard complaints about that from residents and other campers,” said Westhead, “particularly that some aren’t being responsible for cleaning up waste and human waste.
“Random camping is a permitted use in the area, I guess it gives a wilderness feel, but we’re hoping will take advantage of the improvements we’re going to make in the area.”
“We are committed to enhancing recreation opportunities for Alberta families throughout our provincial parks system,” said Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips. “Ghost PRA upgrades are one of more than 100 capital and maintenance projects that will refresh and modernize Alberta Parks to support local tourism, economies and jobs.”
In May, the provincial government heightened enforcement on public lands through co-ordinated efforts by several agencies and expanded use of the Report A Poacher line (1-800-642-3800). Since May, Fish and Wildlife officers, Conservation Officers and seasonal park rangers have issued more than 1,120 written warnings and laid more than 845 charges province-wide under various legislation.
