Watch Above: A new self-serve system has been set up in seven parks in Nova Scotia, and not all campers are certain the system will work. Alex Abdelwahab reports.
PORTERS LAKE, NS – Porters Lake Provincial Park is the first of the province’s new self-serve parks to open for the season on Friday.
In March, the province announced it was making changes to seven parks in the province by changing them over to a self-serve registration system.
Under the new system, campers can register for their campsite online, as many had already done, but those that arrive at the park without a registration need to use a special phone at the self-serve kiosk. They can either pay for their spot with a credit card over the phone, or leave an envelope with a cheque or cash – in exact change – in a special drop box.
Campers use the same system with a different envelope to buy firewood or ice.
Many of those arriving for opening day Friday, noticed that the first big change is the main gates are gone. Camper John Laing told Global News he wasn’t sure what to think about the new system.
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Laing, and his wife, Christine, are from Porters Lake and camp in the park every year. They said they always book their campsite online, so there was no big change for them except they didn’t have to check in with anyone, nor did they receive any passes to put on their car. Christine said she still has some concerns.
‘I can’t see it working myself,” she said. “With not too many workers back here, I don’t know how it’s going to be, with just people coming in, partying more or less.” Christine said she was also concerned that some campers would end up not even paying their fees.
Bruce Nann, spokesperson for the Department of Natural resources told Global News that most people do book their campsites online.
“It’s a self-registration system, not a complete self-serve park,” Nann said. “There will still be staff employees working at the park during regular hours.”
But there will be fewer of them. The province announced in March that 58 seasonal worker positions had been eliminated. At Porters Lake, the employees were cut from 10 down to four.
That change has some campers wondering about enforcement, especially of things like parties in the night.
“It wouldn’t bother me,” Mike Davis said. “But I know some older people, it would kid of put a damper on their camping. They like to have it nice and quiet.”
Nann said Natural Resources will be stepping up patrols in the self-serve park.
“Our conservation officers with the department are visiting these parks that have the self-registration more often.” he said. “So they’re doing more rounds at these parks to make sure they can keep a better eye.”
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