This camping season, Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are offering excitement and inclusion opportunities that are destined to be unforgettable.
“We are thrilled to kick off the camping season and showcase the natural beauty, cultural significance, and fun of our provincial parks,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said.
“We recognize visitors come to our parks to spend quality time with loved ones, and we're eager to provide amazing experiences to help create special moments this camping season.”
The scheduled events for 2023 began on Thursday, May 18th, and will continue throughout the season.
Programming includes guided hikes, educational programs, musical and cultural performances, and self-guided Park Discovery Packs.
These Park Discovery Packs are available to be borrowed in most provincial parks, and this is already in effect. In these packs, campers can find all the supplies required to complete a given craft, carry out a scientific experiment to promote learning, or to simply get out and explore the park.
As we all work on tight schedules, there is often a last-minute schedule change that permits a camping trip that wasn’t expected. For these occasions, the Sask Parks reservation website is prepared to help. The “Camping this Weekend” feature is a tool you can use to quickly see what options are still currently available near you when you need to make those last-minute plans.
Striving to offer more than excitement, this season will also see a huge effort to promote inclusion.
On November 15, 2022, The Accessible Saskatchewan Act was introduced and received Royal Assent on May 17, 2023.
This legislation helps make Saskatchewan a more accessible province and works to prevent and remove barriers affecting persons with disabilities.
A barrier, by definition, includes anything that can stop people from independently accessing buildings or participating in their communities. In the context of parks and recreation, this includes access to beaches, park facilities, and admission to parks in general.
As an initiative to help promote inclusion and accessibility in our communities as well as recreational spaces, the National Accessibility Week (NAAW) is running an awareness campaign from May 29 to June 4, 2023.
In the past few years, Saskatchewan’s provincial parks have received financial investments making them more accessible and inclusive for all our residents, and this year there is a strong focus on expanding this effort with the backing of newly passed legislation.
New features range from beach wheelchairs and access mats to more accessible campsites and buildings. This is just the beginning, and it was announced that more upgrades are being planned.
“Whether it's a day at the lake, spending time in nature, or camping out under the stars, we want our provincial parks to be accessible and welcoming for everyone,” Ross announced. “As we replace or build new facilities, we always look at how to remove barriers and create a more inclusive environment, so that everyone can have fun in our parks and enjoy time outdoors.”
For Moose Jaw residents, just a few of the relevant upgrades to Buffalo Pound Provincial Park include beach wheelchairs, accessible campsites, and accessible picnic sites that can serve as a day-trip destination.
As a friendly reminder, campers are asked to purchase their daily or weekly Park Entry Permits prior to visiting any of our provincial parks. These permits can be purchased online and printed, and this makes for “an effortless camping experience,” according to the recent Sask Parks press release.
With your pass purchased in advance and printed, you can proceed directly to your campsite and be automatically checked in, so long as the pass remains valid and is clearly displayed with your vehicle.
During this unforgettable camping season, let’s see you and your family outside enjoying the fresh air and exploring all our great province has to offer!
A full list of accessible campsites across Saskatchewan can be found here.
For more information about our provincial parks, visit here.
Summer events calendar for Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
For more information or to book a campsite with Sask Parks click here.
