Editor: I recently visited Banff National Park for the first time in several years, and was extremely dismayed and disappointed.
I wrote a letter to Ed Jager, Director of Visitor Experience for Parks Canada, and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. Friends suggested that I also send it to your newspaper.
Dear Mr. Jager:
I am writing to let you know about my extremely disappointing experience as a visitor to Banff National Park this summer.
I first visited our mountain national parks more than 25 years ago, and have visited several times since. I’ve also had the pleasure of visiting many national parks and wildlife refuges in other countries.
In late July, I was RV camping from Vancouver to Calgary, hoping to show my daughter and son-in-law some of the highlights of the Canadian Rockies and our mountain parks. Due to severe overcrowding, and a lack of respect for the natural landscape, we could not enjoy it.
In fact, I am disgusted. I wrote an email (unedited, below) to friends. At their suggestion, I am sending it on to you and Ms. McKenna.
Lake Louise and Banff and even Canmore have been crazy busy. Far too many tourists, I have never seen anything like it. ... There are so many cars and RVs, there is no place left to park anywhere.
I parked the RV illegally and stayed with it while (son-in-law) W. and (daughter) L. ran up to see the lake and hotel in Lake Louise. Then we escaped from there ... visited Banff, walked around and got out of there, too.
The national park campgrounds are so full that in Banff the RVs are literally stuffed into so-called overflow camps. These are first-come first-serve parks. The park staff – mostly young people here from Australia – told us to park back-to-back along the roadside. This still costs you $30 ... no services ... not even a spot to put a chair out. So ... Out of there.
Another overflow site was a gravel pit. We were told to parallel park in the middle of the pit (we were the only RV there). Full sun, not a blade of grass. When I asked if we could be on the perimeter, we were told that was only available for those with a tent. Really senseless so we left there.
So, we left that very naturally beautiful part of Alberta – but how long will it last? There are now dozens and dozens of tacky red canoes on the lake in Lake Louise. Never mind trying to find a free spot to stand to take a photo – a non-selfie.
Oops, I forgot the Columbia Icefield. How is this possible? They now have dozens of large tour buses, taking hundreds of people up the road to the icefield, where people are transferred to the large-wheeled special buses, and then they can walk around the ice.
“Of course, none of this affects the ice (?). The lineup to buy a ticket was a few hundred people. To see the movie there? It was sold out. So you must get the picture by now, pardon the pun.
You can also take a group hike up the glacier with a guide, so what you see is people, walking all over the ice. Then those damn Inukshuks (rock piles) that people just have to imitate. I call it modern graffiti. The bloody things were all in front of the glacier, where we could not go any further due to the melting water.
I was so annoyed that I kicked piles of rocks over. A few people were not pleased. I was told I was ruining other people’s art. I am sure most people don’t have a clue what they (Inukshuks) are really all about. This is a national park, no less.
Boy, do I sound negative, but with so many people scrambling all over these mountains and valleys, and leaving lots of garbage behind, mankind once again does not know when to stop.
I think I will not come back. It is being ruined. The national parks should start making restrictions (that will go over really well).
Now we are in Kananaskis (provincial park) for a second night at a private campground, friendly people happy to help us. Rather interesting place, with a choice of large teepees and trapper cabins. Really neat, lots of privacy.
Irene Neff, Waterloo, Ont.
