August 29, 2013
Free Park Entry, Special Programs Mark September Long Weekend: Mackintosh
Special interpretive programs and free park entry are being offered to mark the Labour Day long weekend in Manitoba’s provincial parks, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“With the recent warm weather, visiting a provincial park is the perfect way to spend time with friends and family on the long weekend,” said Mackintosh. “This weekend, no park passes will be required for Manitoba families visiting our many beautiful parks or taking part in the interesting interpretive programs they offer.”
Park vehicle permits will not be required in provincial parks from Friday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 2 to encourage families to get outdoors and discover the province’s natural and cultural resources before the summer ends.
Free interpretive programs available this weekend in provincial parks include:
- an amphitheatre presentation on how you can Be Bear Smart at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, a campfire talk about the lives of coyotes at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 and a family program to make masks of favourite animals at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Birds Hill Provincial Park;
- a campfire talk on how water has sculpted Manitoba at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 and an amphitheatre presentation on Lake Winnipeg’s unique features at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Grand Beach Provincial Park;
- a campfire talk on edible wild foods at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 and an amphitheatre presentation on the effects of wildfires at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Spruce Woods Provincial Park.; and
- and opportunity to see Canada geese and other wildlife up close and take part in interpretive activities Friday through Monday at the Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary Visitor Centre in Whiteshell Provincial Park.
For those wishing to camp, some campsites are still available. To make a reservation, visit www.manitobaparks.com.
The continued focus on parks supports the implementation of Building The Parks Province: Manitoba’s Parks Strategy,a fresh and sustainable strategy for provincial parks that focuses on key priority areas for investments and action to 2020, the minister said.
More information on the park strategy is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parksstrategy/index.html.
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