Editor:
I would have to agree with Mr. Austin’s [Vox Populi, Nov. 12, 2020] claim that I am suspicious of the government’s plan, and here’s why.
Partnerships with non-profits, communities, and Indigenous groups could be organized while the parks retained their protected status within Alberta Parks. Fish Creek Provincial Park is an example of a successful partnership.
I’m also suspicious that the Coal Policy, which had disallowed open pit coal mining in the southern Rockies for 45 years, was rescinded just three months after the announcement that the parks would close.
I’m suspicious because the list of parks closures has been wiped from the Alberta Parks website. And so was this statement: “Sites removed from the parks system allow a greater range of uses that were previously not possible under government regulation. Successful sale or transfer to a third party will enable these sites to continue to be part of the community while generating new economic opportunities.”
I’m suspicious because the parks were closed without any public consultation.
That last point really makes me angry.
The Alberta Parks system has been 85 years in the making. Aspen Beach Provincial Park, which is only four square kilometres, was the first park in the system. It was created in 1932 to allow camping beside, and access to, Gull Lake.
Someone at the time loved a place, saw a need, made a suggestion. The government listened, wrote legislation, and established the Alberta Park system; a system that has spanned generations.
It would be impossible now to know how many people have played roles in the creation of various parks. How many citizens have nominated special areas? How many scientists have researched the need to save critical habitats? How many politicians, civil servants, trail builders, managers, researchers, park wardens have been involved?
How many people have frequented those parks, walked the trails, camped in the woods? How many people like me were introduced to parks by their fathers and can now watch their daughters or sons taking their own children to the same parks?
The Alberta Parks system is an historical labour of love built by generations of Albertans. I am angry that one man can sign his name to a legal document and a third of the parks, the parks that we own, will just disappear.
Premier Kenney didn’t bother to ask for our opinion. Some of us are sharing it anyway … with lawn signs.
Brenda Davison,
Canmore
