GET READY FOR THE SUMMER CAMPING SEASON

Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport staff are gearing up for the May long weekend; here is what campers need to know.

Campground offices across Saskatchewan's provincial parks and recreation sites open at various times on May 20, 2010. Park visitors are encouraged to call ahead to the park they intend to visit or visit our website at www.saskparks.net to see what services are available and to determine whether the water system is functioning, if ice is off the lake, if the docks are in and the hours of operation.

This year the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport is instituting a special campsite allocation draw to accommodate the first initial rush of campers wishing to spend the May long weekend in the Murray Point Campground in Emma Lake Recreation Site and the Stabler Point Campground in Makwa Lake Provincial Park. Campers at both of these locations may register for the draw first thing the morning of May 20 with the draw and allocation then taking place at 9 a.m. at Makwa Lake and 10 a.m. at Emma Lake. Participating campers will be allocated one site per household, in the order in which they are drawn.

"The draw system will create a fair opportunity to get a campsite and eliminate the road congestion," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Dustin Duncan said. "This will, in the long-run, provide a more satisfactory registration experience for campers and will make the first official day of the summer camping season safer for everyone involved."

There will still be sites available at both locations for those who arrive after the draws are made.

Over the past two years, electrical service has been added to close to 600 campsites. The campsites are distributed among Makwa Lake, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan Landing, Buffalo Pound and Pike Lake Provincial Parks and Emma Lake Recreation Site and will be available this summer. Electrical service will be added to another 200 to 250 campsites this fall and will be available to campers next summer. The campsite upgrades are part of a four-year commitment to add electrical service to 1,000 campsites.

"Our provincial parks continue to be some of the best places to visit in Saskatchewan," Duncan said. "That is demonstrated by the fact that 2009 was a record year, with more than 3.3 million visits to our parks. The upgrades we are making will increase the opportunity for people to experience a memorable visit to our parks."

Campers are also reminded there is a ban on all alcohol in provincial parks and recreation sites during the May long weekend. The ban will be in place in all campgrounds and picnic areas in provincial parks and recreational sites. Cottages and commercial businesses in provincial parks will not be affected by the ban. It will also be in effect in 17 Regional Parks. The ban will take effect 12 p.m. Thursday, May 20 and run until 11 p.m. Monday, May 24, inclusive.

"It is important that park visitors know that they can enjoy themselves in a peaceful, family environment," Duncan said. "Banning alcohol during the May long weekend will help make that possible. It will also ensure the safety of park visitors, staff and peace officers."

More information about Saskatchewan's provincial parks is available at www.saskparks.net.

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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