May 8, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Five provincial parks open for 1998 season

Tourism, Culture and Recreation minister Sandra Kelly today announced that five provincial parks will open next week for the 1998 summer camping season.

Butter Pot, La Manche, and Notre Dame parks will open on Wednesday, May 13, while Barachois Pond and Frenchman's Cove will open on Friday, May 15.

The minister noted that park fees are unchanged from 1997.

Kelly noted that system-wide park activity is getting underway, with the interpretation centre at the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve opening last Friday, May 1, while Chance Cove Provincial Park opened for the season on Friday, April 3.

The minister says that park and campsite information is available through a number of sources for the 1998 camping season, between May 14 and September 5, and will be updated twice on Thursday and Friday, and once on Saturday of each week.

Campsite vacancy and special event information for the province's 13 camping parks, as well as special event information for the Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, can be obtained by calling (709) 570-7573, from the St. John's exchange, or by calling 1-800-866-CAMP (2267).

The fee for partially serviced campsites with access 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, with all remaining parks offering unserviced sites. The fee for unserviced campsites with pit privies and drinking water taps is $9 per night.

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.

Campers wishing to store their camping equipment in a provincial park during the summer can do so for a fee of $6 per week or part thereof. 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.

The sewage dumping stations at Barachois Pond, Blow Me Down, Butter Pot, Dildo Run, Lockston Path, Notre Dame, Pistolet Bay and Sandbanks Provincial Parks will continue to be available for use free of charge by persons camping in these parks; with other persons being charged a $3 fee for the service.

Kelly advises all park users that in an effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience special regulations will be enforced during the Victoria Day period from May 13 - 18.

These regulations include:

• 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 9:00 p.m.

• Visitors to the campground must register at the checkpoint or park office.

• Campsites must be kept clean and tidy, with the responsibility resting with the person to whom the site is registered.

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to designated campsites or picnic sites.

• Quiet time is from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.

• The cutting of trees and bushes is not permitted.

The minister added that these regulations are for the safety and convenience of all park users, and will help ensure a truly enjoyable Victoria Day and summer camping period.

Contact: Doug Burgess, Communications Director, (709) 729-0928.

1998 05 08 3:55 p.m.