Major parks
By major, I don't mean in-town green spaces, but rather the vast areas where we can connect with nature. As Canadians, we are fortunate to have access to so many exceptional national and provincial parks.
People flock to these parks to hike trails, swim in lakes, pitch tents, picnic, stroll beaches, canoe, kayak, sailboard, observe flora and fauna, and build campfires.
Fond childhood and teenage memories from two Ontario provincial parks―Ipperwash and the Pinery―continue to fuel my drive to explore more of Canada
There, dedicated park employees strive to guard endangered species and sensitive ecosystems from invasive plants and diseases. They maintain park facilities and staff interpretation centres for all to enjoy.
Even though summer is waning, don’t let that keep you from the parks. Many are accessible throughout the year, so visit them despite the onset of cooler weather. You just might gain a better appreciation for the parks when you see the fall foliage ablaze with colour or sparkling after a snowfall.
Well-managed, unspoiled wilderness of major parks = our own little pieces of Eden
AWESOME!
It is important that these national and provincial parks continue to be maintained for generations to come. I fear that Canada may follow the U.S. in closing parks in a shortsighted effort to address budget deficits. California already announced that by summer 2012 it would close one in four of its state parks. That’s a shame, because beyond having 25% fewer parks, biodiversity will be threatened by unchecked invasive species. Plus Californians and tourists will need to travel that much further to reach a well-managed park, which may mean that they just hunker down in front of a TV or computer screen instead.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to include Marine Protected Areas! :) Some of the best parks, and as you said, too easily unvalued and left unprotected.
ReplyDeleteGreat point, Rachelle! I visited Basin Head, one of Canada's marine protected areas two weekends ago. Anyone who doesn't know about marine protected areas can find out more from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/marineareas-zonesmarines/mpa-zpm/index-eng.htm
ReplyDeleteOK, a new site went live recently. The My Parks Pass Canada site has great info for parents, teachers and kids of all ages. Check it out at www.myparkspass.ca.
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