RESPONSIBLE USE OF PARKS ENCOURAGED ON JULY LONG WEEKEND

Saskatchewan Environment continues to work toward ensuring campers have a positive, safe and rewarding park experience this July long weekend.

Adult park visitors may consume alcoholic beverages at their campsite as long as they do so in a responsible and quiet manner. Individuals who abuse alcohol, or otherwise create a disturbance, may be charged and evicted from provincial parks and recreation sites. Minors possessing alcohol within a provincial park or recreation site may also be charged and evicted from the park.

The Battlefords Provincial Park, the department and the surrounding community support the implementation of several initiatives that were successful at Moose Mountain Provincial Park during the May long weekend. These measures include requiring campers to be at least 18 years of age to register for a campsite and limiting campsite occupancy to a maximum of four campers per site, with only one camping unit per site.

Plans are also underway to increase public safety and security at Candle Lake Provincial Park during the August long weekend.

Saskatchewan Environment will review all the pilot projects that were implemented throughout the May, July and August long weekends and develop a management plan for the 2006 summer parks season.

Saskatchewan Environment encourages visitors with information on any public disturbances or acts of vandalism within a provincial park to call the toll-free Park Watch line at 1-800-667-1788.

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For More Information, Contact:

Gary Provencher Environment Saskatoon Phone: (306) 933-7928

Syd Barber Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-2846