NLIS 2
May 11, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Provincial Parks open for 2000 season

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced the opening dates of the provincial parks in the province for the 2000 camping season.

"I wish all residents and tourists a safe and enjoyable summer camping season. I would encourage everyone to visit a provincial park this summer and enjoy such activities as hiking, bicycling on park roads, bird watching, nature photography or simply relaxing in our province�s beautiful natural surroundings," said Furey. "I remind all park users to do their part to help protect the natural environment by ensuring that they tidy their campsite or day use area before they vacate the park."

Butter Pot Provincial Park, Frenchman�s Cove Provincial Park, La Manche Provincial Park and Notre Dame Provincial Park will open on Wednesday, May 17 and Barachios Pond Park and Lockston Path Park will open on Friday, May 19. The interpretation centre at the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve opened to visitors for the 2000 season on Saturday, May 6, while Chance Cove Provincial Park opened for the season on Friday, March 17.

Those wishing to make a campsite reservation for any of the provincial parks in which camping is permitted may do so by telephoning1-800-563-NFLD (6353), the province�s toll-free tourism information system. Campers should note that reservations will not be accepted for the Victoria Day weekend period of Wednesday, May 17 to Tuesday, May 23. Campsites for this period will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Special regulations will be enforced during the Victoria Day weekend from May 17 - 22. Any violation of park regulations will result in an immediate eviction from the park and charges possibly being laid. See attached backgrounder for a list of these regulations and fee structures.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0928

BACKGROUNDER
PROVINCIAL PARKS REGULATIONS AND FEE STRUCTURES

SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND:

• Only one piece of camping equipment is permitted per campsite.
• Excluding family situations, a maximum of four persons are permitted per campsite.
• Persons must be 19 years of age or older to register for a campsite.
• Visitors to the campground must register at the checkpoint or park office.
• No visitors are permitted in the campground area after 9:00 p.m.
• Quiet time is from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to designated campsites or picnic sites.
• Campsites must be kept clean and tidy. If a site is left dirty and littered, the person to whom it is registered will be charged.
• Campfires must not be left unattended.
• The cutting of trees and bushes is not permitted.

OVERNIGHT CAMPING FEES:

Partially serviced campsites

• The fee for partially serviced campsites (campsites with access provided to flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities) is $11 per night. Partially serviced campsites are available at Barachois Pond, Blow Me Down, Butter Pot, Dildo Run, Lockston Path, Pistolet Bay and Sandbanks Provincial Parks.

Unserviced campsites

• The fee for unserviced campsites (campsites with access provided to pit privies and drinking water taps which are conveniently located throughout the park) is $9 per night. Unserviced campsites are available at J. T. Cheeseman, Frenchman�s Cove, La Manche, Pinware River, Notre Dame and Sir Richard Squires Memorial.

Frequent park user fees

• Discounted camping fees are again being offered to frequent park users. The fee structure for all campsites includes a 10 per cent weekly, 15 per cent monthly and 20 per cent seasonal discount.

Group camping fees

• Persons wishing to utilize the group campgrounds located at Barachois Pond, Butter Pot, Lockston Path or Notre Dame Provincial Parks are reminded that a reservation is required. These reservations are to be made by telephoning applicable park directly. Barachois Pond may be contacted by telephoning 709-649-0048; Butter Pot 709-685-1853; Lockston Path 709-464-3553; and Notre Dame 709-535-2379. Those using either of these sites on a daily basis will be charged $1 per person per day while those camping overnight will have to pay $2 per person per night. Persons wishing to utilize the remote campsites located at the summit of Erin Mountain in Barachois Provincial Park are advised that a fee of $5 per site per night will be charged.

Day Use Fees

• All day users and visitors wishing to enter a provincial park with a vehicle must have a valid daily or seasonal vehicle entry permit. The fees for these permits are $4 per day and $16 for the season. Campers will not be charged a vehicle entry fee for entry into the park in which they are camping.

Cancellation Policy

• All reservations must be made and or cancelled at least three days prior to the first night of stay in the park. Those cancelling with less than three days notice will be charged the applicable camping fee for the first night which they had intended to stay. In addition, persons reserving a campsite will be charged a nonrefundable $5 registration fee. Persons making up to five reservations in the same park during the same telephone call will be charged only one fee, however this fee will be charged per reservation each time someone telephones the system to make a reservation or reserves sites in more than one park during the same call. Only this fee is to be paid when the reservation is made, all other fees are to be paid at the park. Those reserving a campsite must provide the number of a valid MasterCard or Visa credit card to which this and, if necessary, the camping fee for the first night can be charged.

Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve

• Fees charged for the Interpretation Centre are as follows:

2000 05 11                                     12:30 p.m.