Environment and Conservation
April 28, 2008

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Improvements Made to Provincial Parks Reservation System Following Review

I rise in the House of Assembly to provide the results of a review of our Provincial Parks Campsite Reservation Service conducted by my department.

In 2007, the Parks and Natural Areas Division introduced a new provincial parks campsite reservation system in response to public demand for a better system of booking and guaranteeing campsites in our provincial parks.

Government committed to improving amenities and services within our parks in recognition that the parks system is a key part of developing an internationally competitive outdoor nature tourism product for the province.

The report addressed the following concerns.

During the 2007 camping season, there was a cancellation fee of $8.00 plus GST, if bookings were cancelled. This fee was dropped in July 2007 and this will remain in effect again this year.

At start up in 2007, persons who wanted to extend their stay while at a site would have to make another reservation on line or by phone and, as a result, pay another reservation fee. Also, people who preferred a site different than the one reserved, had to contact the reservation service to change their site and incur another reservation change fee.

This season, campers who are occupying a site for up to seven days can extend their stay, depending upon site availability, one day at a time for up to seven extra days at the park checkpoint, rather than having to contact the reservation system. The reservation fee for staying additional nights will no longer apply. Also, upon arriving at the park, a camper wishing to change their site, depending upon availability, can do so at the park checkpoint. Again, the reservation change fee will no longer apply.

The original reservation system had a 24-hour delay meaning campers could not make same day reservations. I am pleased to report, this season, same day reservations are now available.

Another issue raised by campers was that when traveling across the province, they would make reservations at multiple parks; however they were charged a fee for each park reservation.

This season, patrons involved in trip planning can make reservations at multiple parks and only have to pay one reservation fee.

Last season, the latest park check in time was set at 6:00 p.m. with a check out time of 1:00 p.m. Campers felt that the check in time did not allow enough time to get to the park of their choice, especially after work on a Friday evening. And, check out time at 1:00 p.m. interfered with their noon meal.

This camping season we have changed the check in and check out times to make it more convenient for people arriving and departing the park. Latest check in time will be 8:00 p.m. Check out time will now be 3:00 p.m.

Many people who live next to a provincial park thought they had to contact the reservation system to stay at the neighboring park and pay the reservation fee.

Local people can "drop in" to their local park and get a campsite without having to make a reservation and incur the reservation fee. Drop in sites are set aside in each park for such purposes. However, I do recommend reservations at our busier parks, and especially, during long holiday weekends.

There are 40 seasonal campsites available at Butter Pot Provincial Park. Demand for seasonal sites in Butter Pot is very high. Twenty-five of these sites were "set aside" for some patrons. However, on a go forward basis government will no longer set aside these sites All 40 seasonal sites will be available through the reservation system.

Our provincial parks are a public resource and everyone should have equal opportunity to access seasonal sites and that is the reason for this change.

Overall the Provincial Parks Reservation System is operating very well. The system has seen several innovations and changes in the past couple of years with increased services and amenities. Previously, Parks and Natural Areas, could only handle 2,000 reservations per season. In 2007, reservations increased to almost 8,000 � 61 per cent of reservations was made online and 39 per cent was made through the 1-877 telephone service.

The telephone and online reservation service will be available May 1 for Notre Dame, Blow Me Down, Frenchman�s Cove and Pinware River Park reservations. On May 3, reservation service will be available for Barachois Pond, La Manche, Lockston Path, J. T. Cheeseman and Sir Richard Squires Memorial Provincial Park. The reservation service for Butter Pot, Dildo Run, Pistolet Bay and Sandbanks Park will be available May 5.

For more information or to make a reservation, the public can contact the Provincial Parks Reservation Service at 1-877-214-CAMP (2267) between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. or online 24 hours a day at www.nlcamping.ca.

I trust these changes will significantly enhance the upcoming camping season for all visitors to our provincial parks.

2008 04 28                                             2:00 p.m.


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