CELEBRATING SASKATCHEWAN’S PARKS WEEK

Be sure to take some time next week and celebrate Parks Week in Saskatchewan.

This year, Parks Week, which has been celebrated for 27 years, runs from July 11-17, 2010.

Parks Week helps raise awareness of park programs, facilities and the province's natural, cultural and historic resources. Parks Week also promotes Saskatchewan's parks as a place to visit for fun and recreation.

"Saskatchewan's provincial parks are the jewels of our province," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Bill Hutchinson said. "Our natural environment parks offer many outstanding recreational opportunities and our historic parks help tell the story of how we came to be who we are. This story is especially relevant this year when we are marking several historic anniversaries."

2010 is the 125th anniversary of the Northwest Resistance, the 125th Anniversary of the RCMP Depot Division, the 200th anniversary of Fort Carleton and the 150th anniversary of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, the oldest building in the province, in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.

Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Hutchinson joined other provincial and territorial ministers responsible for parks in designating July 17 as Canada's Parks Day. Canada's Parks Day is an annual event celebrating the importance of Canada's national, provincial and territorial parks. The goal of Canada's Parks Day is to focus public attention on the role parks play in conserving Canada's natural and cultural heritage.

"Our parks conserve special areas for today and for the future - areas where we can enjoy nature as well as a range of activities from water skiing to quiet contemplation," Hutchinson said.

For further information on events throughout Parks Week, please visit www.saskparks.net or call toll-free 1-800-205-7070.

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For more information, contact:

Sean St. George
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087
Email: sean.stgeorge@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8635