Alberta campers and outdoors enthusiasts will be on their tightest leash in years as they head out into national parks, provincial parks and public lands over the May long weekend.
Along with the first liquor ban issued for Banff National Park’s front-country campgrounds and three other national parks for the May 22-24 weekend, the province has also issued liquor bans at 10 of its parks for the weekend, including two first-time bans near Calgary.
"This is the first time ever we’ve had to do something like this — and it’s simply in direct response to campers complaining and calling for a more peaceful and calmer camping experience," said Michelle Macullo, spokeswoman for Parks Canada’s Banff Field Unit.
"Vandalism, noise and agitated people at other campsites have been a problem for people that just want to come out and enjoy camping.
"There’s nothing more Canadian than camping, and we’d like people to be able to experience things they can’t in the city."
Representatives from provincial parks as well as public lands that include popular camping and off-road areas such as Waiparous and McLean Creek say they, too, see abuse of property and liquor, particularly on the Victoria Day weekend, although the situation is improving.
"We have seen increased reports of unacceptable behaviours in some new areas," said Camille Weleschuk, spokeswoman for Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.
As a result, a liquor ban is now in place at Ghost Reservoir near Cochrane and Jarvis Park near Sylvan Lake for the holiday weekend, along with eight other provincial parks that also saw liquor bans last year.
Still, Weleschuk added, a variety of liquor bans have been put in place over the May long weekend since 2004, and campgrounds have since experienced a 90 per cent decrease in enforcement related to vandalism, impaired driving, assaults and other crimes.
"We know that it’s working," said Cindy Ady, tourism minister and MLA for Calgary Shaw.
"The majority of our users are very responsible — out of 500 parks, there’s only 10 liquor bans being issued. Why take out a sledgehammer when a ball-peen hammer is just fine?"
But Richard Leavens, executive director for the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment, called the liquor bans "draconian," saying they unfairly diminish enjoyment of the parks that responsible users deserve.
"My wife and I camp all the time, and we see people out there enjoying themselves responsibly, and respecting the mountains like it was their own backyard, their home. Visitor enjoyment is so important, that’s why these parks exist," said Leavens.
And while liquor bans will be enforced in designated national and provincial parks, the provincial Liquor Act does not allow government to inflict bans on any public lands.
That means liquor will still be allowed in high-use public areas like Waiparous and McLean Creek.
Still, says Kathy Kiel, with Sustainable Resources and Development, enforcement in those areas will be very high ensuring users are acting responsibly.
Kiel says the use of off-road vehicles will be monitored especially closely to ensure users don’t go off trail.
Gearing up for the May long weekend beginning May 21, close to 360 enforcement officers, including national park wardens, provincial conservation officers and the RCMP will blanket the province.
According to RCMP spokesman Sgt. Patrick Webb, each detachment is now busy laying out a plan to prepare for the increase in population, looking back at last year’s statistics and problem areas.
"If you’re using an area legitimately, great, enjoy," said Webb.
"But if you’re contravening any laws, you’ll be subject to enforcement, and to fines."
National parks included in the liquor ban for all summer long weekends include Banff, Kootenay and Kickinghorse in Yoho National Park. For more information on federal parks visit http://www.pc.gc.ca.
For information on provincial parks visit http://www.AlbertaParks.ca.
eferguson@theherald.canwest.com
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