Alberta government to spend $43 million in provincial park upgrades and repair

CALGARY – The Alberta government is planning to spend $43 million in repairs and improvements to provincial parks.

Environment Minister Jason Nixon said the money will go to improving trails, upgrading day-use areas and campgrounds and replacing water supply infrastructure.

The UCP government said the projects will create about 290 jobs.

“Alberta is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in our country. That’s why we are committed to making sure our parks remain accessible and beautiful for years to come with upgrades to the paths and facilities visitors rely on. These projects will get Albertans back to work by creating hundreds of jobs when we need them most,” said Premier Jason Kenney.

Kenney also announced an almost $500,000 provincial grant to the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society to help the group with its conservation and ecology work while upgrading education and visitor information at the park.

“The Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society has a track record of excellence in conservation, education and programming, and is a leader in demonstrating how non-profits can be effective and efficient partners in provincial parks stewardship,” said Calgary-Fish Creek MLA Richard Gotfried.

Back in March, Nixon announced that the United Conservative government would be fully or partially closing 20 provincial parks and handing off another 164 to third-party managers.

Sites for which no managers could be found are to lose park status and revert to general Crown land.

Nixon says the remote park sites aren’t closing but being “de-listed” and will still be accessible to Albertans.

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