Successful Season for Provincial Parks and Ecological Reserves

The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, released the latest statistics today showing more people are camping at provincial parks and visiting the province’s ecological reserves.

Approximately 66,000 camping nights were sold this year throughout Newfoundland and Labrador − a four per cent increase over the previous year. In addition, 12,300 people visited Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve and 1,000 people toured the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve.

“It really is fantastic to see camping is still a favourite thing to do for many people in our province,” said Minister Hedderson. “I am very pleased with the continued growth in popularity of our parks and to see our residents getting out and experiencing the wonder of our ecological reserves.”

During the 2013 season, Dildo Run, Sandbanks, and Sir Richard Squires Memorial Provincial Parks experienced the largest increase in the number of camping nights sold compared to 2012, while Barachois Pond, Butter Pot, and Notre Dame Provincial Parks remain the busiest parks in the province.

All 13 campgrounds are now closed for the 2013 camping season. Day-use parks, including Chance Cove, the Arches, Cataracts, Codroy Valley, Deadman’s Bay, Dungeon and Gooseberry Cove, remain open until October 7. Ecological reserves remain open until October 18.

For more information about provincial parks, wilderness and ecological reserves, contact the Parks and Natural Areas Division at 709-637-2040 or visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/parks. 

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Media contact:
Deborah Thomas
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 728-8092
deborahthomas@gov.nl.ca 

2013 10 03                                     11:25 a.m.