Environment and Conservation
September 14, 2007

Provincial Parks and Reserves Close for 2007 Season

Residents and visitors have one final weekend to enjoy staying in a provincial park as many of the parks are closing for the season on September 17. Some provincial parks have already closed for the 2007 camping season.

Provincial parks scheduled to close on September 17 are: Barachois Pond, Butter Pot, Dildo Run, Frenchman�s Cove, J.T. Cheeseman, La Manche, Notre Dame, Sandbanks, Pinware River and Pistolet Bay. Some parks closed on September 10. They are: Sir Richard Squires Memorial, Blow Me Down, Arches, Cataracts, Codroy Valley, Deadman�s Bay and Gooseberry Cove. However, Chance Cove Provincial Park will remain open until October 2 and Lockston Path Provincial Park will remain open until October 15.

"This year, our parks division introduced a new on-line reservation system and toll-free number for booking campsites in our provincial parks," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "To date, a total of 7,627 reservations were booked using the new on-line reservation system and the toll-free telephone number. This is almost four-times the number of reservations made in previous years using the old reservation system."

The on-line Web site at www.NLCamping.ca as well as the toll-free 1-877-214-2267 (CAMP) reservation service will remain operational until September 16.

Minister Jackman noted that the closing date for Lockston Path Provincial Park and the Dungeon have been extended until October 15. "We are undertaking this extension as part of a three-year pilot project announced in 2006," said the minister. "This initiative was developed by the Discovery Trail Tourism Association in cooperation with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was designed to extend the traditional tourism season in the Clarenville-Bonavista region beyond the summer months."

Lockston Path Provincial Park has 37 partially-serviced and 20 fully-serviced campsites. The facilities and services offered at Lockston Path make this park a key attraction for visitors to this area in the fall.

Campsites at Lockston Path Provincial Park will be available on a first come, first served basis. Persons wishing to confirm campsite availability may contact Lockston Path at 709-464-3553.

The minister also noted that Burnt Cape and Mistaken Point Ecological Reserves are open for interpretive tours until October 5, and Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve interpretation centre will remain open until October 7. People entering the Bay du Nord and Avalon Wilderness Reserves are reminded that they require an entry permit. Entry permits are available free of charge and may be obtained by contacting the Parks and Natural Areas Division.

"As another busy camping season comes to an end, I encourage naturalists, hikers and sightseers to take advantage of our protected areas during the fall season," said Minister Jackman. "Our stunning natural environment and wilderness areas offer residents and visitors a wonderful experience in nature."

Newfoundland and Labrador�s system of provincial parks and natural areas consists of 14 camping parks, 11 park reserves, six natural scenic attractions and the T�Railway Provincial Park, for a total of 32 provincial parks. The system has two wilderness reserves and 17 ecological reserves. Along with recreational opportunities, each of the parks and reserves protects significant features of the landscape and habitat in which they are located.

For more information about provincial parks, ecological reserves or entry permits, please contact the Parks and Natural Areas Division at 709-635-4520 or visit the Provincial Government Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/parks

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Media contact:
Diane Hart
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 685-4401
dianehart@gov.nl.ca

2007 09 14                                                      1:00 p.m.

 


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