July 18, 2013

FREE PARK ENTRY THIS WEEKEND TO CELEBRATE CANADA'S PARKS DAY: MACKINTOSH

Manitobans are encouraged to enjoy a broad range of activities in the great outdoors with free entry to Manitoba’s provincial parks tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday (July 19 to 21) in celebration of Canada’s Parks Day on July 20, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“Manitoba’s many beautiful parks provide an excellent opportunity to create wonderful memories of good times with family and friends in a natural setting,” said Mackintosh.  “To encourage more people to visit and explore our parks, we are celebrating Canada’s Parks Day with free entry to all provincial parks this weekend.  We’re offering a variety of fun and educational events that will interest people of all ages.”
Mackintosh noted many of the planned activities highlight the important role parks play in protecting both cultural and natural values associated with parks including the history of these special places, critical habitat for species-at-risk, maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems, and supporting human health and well-being.
Some Manitoba activities on Saturday include:

• campfire talk on the history of Birds Hill Park at 8:30 p.m.;
• interpretive amphitheatre presentation at Grand Beach at 9:30 p.m.;
• guided walk of Hecla Village at 3 p.m.;
• interpretive guided tour of historic homes in the St. Norbert area at 1 p.m.;
• play Parks Jeopardy and enjoy an interpretive amphitheatre presentation at Spruce Woods at
  9 p.m.; and
• campfire talk on the history of the Whiteshell at the Alfred Hole sanctuary in Rennie at 8 p.m.

Other special events in Manitoba parks include:

• Rivers – Parks Day prize draws;
• Bakers Narrows – youth natural resource officer for a day draw; and
• Clearwater Lake (Campers Cove Campground) – Parks Day activities and prize draws.

For more information on these and other Canada’s Parks Day events, visit www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/camping/info/parksday.html.

“Manitoba parks are among the greatest natural resources we have,” said Mackintosh.  “They benefit the environment, provide a natural habitat for plants and animals, and give people the opportunity to reconnect with peace and tranquility.  That’s why we are investing more than $100 million in park infrastructure by 2020 through our Building the Parks Province:  Manitoba’s Parks Strategy.”
For more information on the strategy, visit www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parksstrategy/.  For more information on parks in Manitoba or to book a campsite, visit www.manitobaparks.com.

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