NLIS 3
August 31, 2001
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
 

Provincial parks to close for the season

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Kevin Aylward today announced that two of the province's provincial parks which offer camping facilities will close following another successful season on September 4. In addition, six natural and scenic attraction parks will also close on that date.

The camping parks scheduled to close on September 4 are Blow Me Down Provincial Park and Sir Richard Squires Memorial Provincial Park. The six natural scenic attractions closing on September 4 are:
� The Arches
� Cataracts
� Codroy Valley
� Deadman's Bay 
� Dungeon
� Gooseberry Cove 

Eleven of the camping parks will remain open for camping until September 17. These parks include: 
� Barachois Pond Provincial Park
� Butter Pot Provincial Park 
� J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park
� Dildo Run Provincial Park
� Frenchman's Cove Provincial Park
� La Manche Provincial Park 
� Lockston Path Provincial Park 
� Notre Dame Provincial Park 
� Pinware River Provincial Park 
� Pistolet Bay Provincial Park 
� Sandbanks Provincial Park

In addition, the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve and Chance Cove Provincial Park will remain open to visitors until October 8.

"Similar to Labour Day weekends in the past, special rules will be strictly enforced at the provincial parks from August 30 to September 4," said Minister Aylward. "Those failing to comply with the special Labour Day regulations will be asked to leave the park and possibly face charges. This will ensure that the parks provide a safe atmosphere for those wishing to spend the last long weekend of the summer enjoying the province's great outdoors."
The following are special regulations which must be observed:
� 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 are not permitted to enter the campground area after 9 p.m.;
� Visitors to the campground must register at the checkpoint or park office;
� Quiet time is from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.;
� Campsites must be kept clean and tidy. If a site is left dirty and littered, the person to whom it is/was registered will be charged;
� Campfires must not be left unattended;
� Consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to designated campsites or picnic sites; and, 
� The cutting of trees and bushes is not permitted.

Although all of the province's provincial parks will shortly close for the season for camping, unmotorized access will continue to be permitted. Park users are reminded that they may continue to enjoy activities such as hiking, bicycling on park roads, bird watching, nature photography or simply enjoying the changes in the natural environment as the seasons change.

Media contact: Rebekah Winsor, Communications, (709) 729-0857

2001 08 31                                                 12:35 p.m.