The province is looking to make some happy campers, after announcing a boost of funding for BC Parks and the creation of more campsites.
Although there are no individual campsites on the North Shore, Premier Christy Clark made the announcement from the foot of Mount Seymour Provincial Park on Monday afternoon.
Over five years, the province is putting up $22.9 million to create 1,900 new campsites, 800 of which will be within provincial parks, hire more park rangers, and develop an overall parks strategy.
“Nature and this beautiful environment we’re gifted with is really who we are and it’s a part of our world that we’re obligated to preserve. It really does define us,” Clark said. “This is our gift to the world.”
The announcement didn’t contain specifics about which parks and recreation areas would be getting more tent and trailer real estate or when, but they will be concentrated in the highest demand areas, according to Environment Minister Mary Polak.
Clark acknowledged the frustrations many campfire-and-s’mores enthusiasts feel when attempting to book sites for family camping trips, only to find them booked solid.
The announcement also came with an additional $15 million to maintain and refurbish existing campsites.
“Quite frankly, I think we’ve been loving our parks so much, they’re showing a little wear around the edges,” said Ric Careless, campaign chairman for BC Parks.
B.C. has drawn 4.5 million international visitors so far this year, according to the province, which the premier said creates about 127,000 jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries.
