As part of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation’s commitment to consult with the public and stakeholders, the Parks Division would like to invite you to comment on proposed new park legislation to align with Alberta’s Plan for Parks. The objective of the proposed legislation is to streamline existing legislation and ensure that Albertans know what kinds of experiences are available in the parks, so they can better plan their visit.
Highlights of the proposed new legislation include:
- Streamline three pieces of existing park legislation (the Provincial Parks Act; the Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas, and Heritage Rangelands Act; and the Black Creek Heritage Rangeland Trails Act) into a simplified act. Note: the Willmore Wilderness Park Act will remain unchanged as a separate Act.
- Refine seven existing parks’ classification to two classifications: Provincial Parks and Heritage Rangelands. Zoning will be used within Provincial Parks to allow for better communication and management of acceptable recreational activities, while ensuring the protection of our unique natural and cultural features found in parks.
- Require mandatory advance public notice for establishing, disestablishing, or changing boundaries of provincial parks or heritage rangelands.
- Enable the creation of a Parks Conservation Foundation and a Parks Advisory Council, two priority actions outlined in Alberta’s Plan for Parks.
We invite you to review the information on the proposed new legislation and complete an online survey regarding the proposed classification and zoning structure at www.albertaparks.ca/legislation, or mail survey to:
Parks Legislation Review
2nd Floor, Oxbridge Place
9820 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2J6
Feedback received by July 17, 2010 will be reviewed and considered in guiding the development of the new legislation, which will be drafted to align with Alberta’s Plan for Parks, and brought forward to Cabinet in the Fall.
Your feedback will help us to achieve the vision of the Plan for Parks that Alberta’s parks inspire people to discover, value, protect, and enjoy the natural world and the benefits it provides for current and future generations.
Thank you for your participation!