Five provincial parks to open for 2001 season

NLIS 4
May 14, 2001
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that five provincial parks will open on Wednesday, May 16 for the 2001 summer camping season.

The parks to open and the number of designated campsites in each are:

Barachois Pond	150
Butter Pot	126
Frenchman's Cove	76
La Manche	69
Notre Dame	100

One additional provincial park, Lockston Path was scheduled to open, however, due to significant snow accumulations its opening has been delayed. At Butter Pot Provincial Park only 100 of its 126 designated campsites are available for use by the general public and the park is operating with reduced services due to the large amount of snow remaining.

All 69 designated campsites at La Manche Provincial Park are available for use, but access to the park's day use area is restricted also due to snow related problems,.

In an effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience all park users are asked to follow regulations which will be strictly enforced during the Victoria Day weekend period, May 16 - 22. Any violations will result in an immediate eviction from the park and charges possibly being laid.

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 are not to be left unattended.

Minister Alyward also noted that in addition to the special regulations noted above changes have been instituted to campsite availability at both La Manche and Notre Dame Provincial Parks.

Users of these parks are advised that a number of campsites have been reserved for family groups who wish to spend a quiet, yet pleasurable weekend enjoying its natural environment, programs and services. While all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, they will be assigned at the discretion of park staff and those using these parks are advised that all regulations will be strictly enforced. La Manche has 45 and Notre Dame has 65 campsites reserved for family camping.

"It is hoped that these regulations will provide everyone the opportunity to put the long winter behind them and enjoy the great outdoors in a manner which is as safe and pleasurable as possible," said the minister.

With respect to the fees charged in these parks, park users are advised that, other than minor adjustments to the seasonal camping fees to reflect the change in the length of the operating season for each park, there are no changes from 2000.

As in previous years, campsite reservations can be made for any of the province's provincial parks in which camping is permitted, with the exception of Chance Cove Provincial Park located on the southeastern corner of the Avalon Peninsula. These reservations are to be made by telephoning 1-800-563-NFLD (6353), the province's toll-free tourism information system. They cannot be made by contacting a park or the Parks and Natural Areas Divisional headquarters directly.

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 non-refundable $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 paid when the reservation is made, all other fees are to be paid at the park. Those reserving a campsite must provide a valid credit card number to which this and, if necessary, the camping fee for the first night can be charged. Reservations will be accepted for any provincial park for the Victoria Day weekend period of Wednesday, May 16 to Monday, May 21 or the Labour Day weekend period of Wednesday, August 29 to Monday, September 3.

Information regarding park or reserve fees or any of Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial parks or natural areas, may be obtained by telephoning Parks and Natural Areas Division at (709) 729-2424 or the province's toll-free tourism information telephone system.

"I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Victoria Day Weekend," said Minister Aylward. "I invite everyone to spend some time this summer exploring at least one of this province's provincial parks, maybe even one which they have not visited before. I encourage everyone do their part to help protect our natural environment by ensuring that they tidy any area which they may use and leave it as unspoiled as they found it for the next person."

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

For further information contact: Glen Ryan, Director of Parks and Natural Areas, (709) 729-2427.

2001 05 15 12:30 p.m.

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