Five provincial parks to open for 2002 season

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced five provincial parks will open on Wednesday, May 15 for the 2002 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 and road conditions, its opening has been delayed to a later date.

All regulations will be strictly enforced during the Victoria Day weekend period from May 15 - 21 and throughout the summer camping season. All park users are asked to follow these regulations.

Any violation of the following 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 may be charged.
• Campfires are not to be left unattended.

In addition to the special requirements noted above, changes have been instituted to campsite availability at both La Manche and Notre Dame provincial parks. At La Manche there are 45 campsites reserved for family groups and 65 at Notre Dame. These are reserved for family groups who wish to spend a quiet, yet pleasurable weekend enjoying its natural environment, programs and services. All campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis for the Victoria Day weekend and all regulations will be strictly enforced. 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. In addition, personal watercraft are prohibited in all provincial parks. Campers are recommended to help protect their campsite by ensuring that they tidy any area which they may use and leave it as unspoiled as they found it for the next person.

"I wish all residents and tourists a safe and enjoyable Victoria Day Weekend and I invite everyone to spend some time this summer exploring at least one of this province�s provincial parks, maybe one they have not visited before," said Minister Bettney.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

Those wishing to make a campsite reservation during the 2002 summer camping season for any of the provincial parks in which camping is permitted, with the exception of Chance Cove Provincial Park located on the southeastern corner of the Avalon Peninsula which is an unstaffed park open for camping, can do so by telephoning 1-800-563-NFLD (6353), the province�s toll-free tourism information system. Reservations can not be made by contacting a park or the Parks and Natural Areas Divisional headquarters directly.

No reservations will be accepted for any provincial park for the Victoria Day weekend period of Wednesday, May 15 to Monday, May 20 or the Labour Day weekend period of Wednesday, August 28 to Monday, September 2. Campsites are available on a first-come first-serve basis only.

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 five dollar registration fee. Persons making up to five reservations in the same park during the same telephone call will be charged only one fee. However, persons making reservations in more than one park during the same call will be charged a fee per registration. This fee is to be paid when the reservation is made, however all other fees are to be paid at the park. Those reserving a campsite must provide the number of a valid MasterCard or Visa credit card to which this and, if necessary, the camping fee for the first night can be charged.

Information regarding park or reserve fees may be obtained by telephoning Parks and Natural Areas Division at (709) 635-4520 or the province�s toll-free tourism information telephone system - 1-800-563-NFLD (6353)

2002 05 09                           4:25 p.m.