Editor:
On behalf of The Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment (AMPPE), I feel compelled to respond to the article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook (Dec. 18) regarding Parks Canada’s Red Chair Program. AMPPE has received a multitude of positive feedback on this initiative from many of our members who have been enjoying the red chairs since they were introduced to the region.
In fact, due to the response received from stakeholders, AMPPE wrote a letter on Nov. 18 to Parks Canada, congratulating CEO Mr. Alan Latourelle and his team on the project. The following is a direct quote from that letter: “On behalf of the board and members of AMPPE, I would like to compliment Parks Canada on the Red Chair Program that is expanding into more and more Parks across Canada. I was in Jasper a few weeks ago and I saw first-hand how the chairs are being featured and searched out with great enthusiasm. It’s a unique and engaging campaign that will surely enhance visitor experience – congratulations on a great initiative!”
According to Parks Canada the feedback on the program has been excellent so far. The fact that the red chairs are so iconically Canadian, that there is an adventure component of seeking them out and that they are accessible to people of all ages and abilities is exciting for visitors to the Parks. Because of its popularity, Parks Canada will be expanding the initiative within National Parks across Canada. Potential locations will all undergo careful screening in the form of an environmental impact study before receiving approval to host a set of red chairs.
Families are excited to have the red chairs as a fun destination for their children to seek out. “Sometimes our kids aren’t entirely motivated to head out for a day hike, but the red chairs have created new excitement for them to hike to the top of a mountain or local viewpoint. We get to spend quality and healthy time together while we share our love of nature as a family,” said Terry Jensen and Jen Koppel of Calgary after finding the red chairs at Lake Minnewanka on the weekend.
The red chairs are also proving to be a keen point of interest for visitors from other parts of the world. In regions that can sometimes seem daunting to someone unfamiliar with hiking and mountain terrain, the program offers a safe option to experience some of Canada’s most beautiful places with the support of the red chair GPS coordinates and maps provided on the Parks Canada website.
The appeal of the program can also be seen through the recent online campaign partnership between the Art Gallery of Alberta and Parks Canada that encouraged red chair seekers to post to social media using the hashtag #AGASharetheChair. Scenic pictures came in by the hundreds via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter from visitors who had experienced joyful moments from their seat in the red chairs.
Whether it’s the quest of searching out a new chair or enjoying the spectacular view from a mountain lookout, there is excitement building around the Red Chair Program. Parks Canada should be commended for creating an initiative that fosters a unifying experience for Canadians while encouraging us to seek out and appreciate the beauty to be found in our National Parks.
Casey Peirce, Executive director, AMPPE
