Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
As part of Parks Week, the provincial government has invited everyone “to get out and discover all the ways our parks can inspire, rejuvenate and bring people together.”
To celebrate, Parks, Culture, and Sport Minister Alana Ross said they have added a special offer: free entry to any provincial park on July 19.
“It’s an invitation to everyone in Saskatchewan to explore the beauty of our provincial parks,” Ross said.
Visitors are asked to please stop at the park entry gate or visitor centre to register for free entry.
Canada’s Parks Day is an annual event where thousands of people participate in fun, educational, family-oriented events in parks and historic sites across the country. The day is dedicated to celebrating the beauty and importance of Canada’s national, provincial, and territorial parks.
This observance aims to inspire Canadians to appreciate the remarkable natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems that span the country. Through various events and programs, Canada Parks Day helps to raise awareness of conservation efforts, promote outdoor activities, and encourage a deep connection with nature.
The origins of Canada Parks Day can be traced back to the early 1990s when the Canadian Parks Council began promoting the idea of a national day to celebrate the country’s parks. Since then, Canada Parks Day has become an occasion for Canadians to rally together in support of environmental protection, healthy living, and the continued enjoyment of these invaluable public spaces. As a result, Canada Parks Day has a profound impact on individuals and communities across the nation, fostering a sense of pride in our natural heritage and recognition of the important role parks play in our daily lives. Parks Day is the perfect time to explore nature, make memories, and discover exciting games and crafts.
To celebrate Canada Parks Day, events and activities are organized throughout the country, including guided nature walks, family-friendly programs, musical performances, and more. Canadians are encouraged to visit their local parks and engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, birdwatching, and sports, thus nurturing their appreciation for parklands and the environment. Canada Parks Day typically occurs on the third Saturday of July each year, allowing Canadians to enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities provided by our parks during the height of summer.
Canada was the first country in the world to create a national parks service. Parks Canada was established in 1911 under the name of the Dominion Parks Branch. Charged with administering a small group of parks and reserves, it was the world’s first national park service.
A century later, Parks Canada manages an extensive and expanded system of protected areas that covers the entire country. This system includes 48 National Parks and park reserves, 171 National Historic Sites, five National Marine Conservation Areas and marine parks, as well as nine historic canals.
Saskatchewan is home to two of Canada’s national parks: Prince Albert National Park, which protects a large area of the boreal plains and prairie transition eco-regions, and Grasslands National Park, which preserves some of Saskatchewan’s last remaining grasslands and native prairie. Additionally, Saskatchewan has 39 provincial parks located across the province, which protect significant ecosystems, landscapes, and cultural and historical resources.
Canada’s Parks Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in July. This day acknowledges the important role that parks play in maintaining healthy, resilient ecosystems and contributing to human health and well-being. The best way to celebrate Canada’s Parks Day is to visit your favourite park and spend quality time there with friends, family, or even alone to enjoy some solitude. Canada’s natural and cultural sites are remarkable treasures that provide Canadians with the opportunity to learn from and connect with their heritage. By doing so, we can better understand the importance of protecting these places for the future.
Nearby, spend the day at the Fort Carlton Provincial Park, the site of the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading post in the 1810-1885 period. Stroll the North Saskatchewan River, enjoy a picnic, trek along the Carlton Trail, or enjoy activities at the Visitor Center. Activities at Fort Carlton on Saturday include self-guided tours of the fort and crafting for all ages. Or take a journey through time and explore Batoche, where the Métis settled on the banks of the Saskatchewan River. Learn the history of the final battle of the Northwest Resistance of 1885 between the Metis provisional government and the Canadian government at the Batoche National Historic Site.
