Canada Parks Turn 100

Parks Canada celebrates its centennial this week with new parks, accommodations and programs to lure urban Canadians out to see the wonders of their country. Events marking the 100th year of Canada’s national park system take place this coming Saturday in 100 communities across the nation. Part of its annual Park Day event, it includes climbing and paddling lessons along with interpreters in period dress reciting tales of Canada’s past.

Urban Outreach

Part of Parks Canada’s centennial mission targets urban dwellers who are not regular visitors in Canada’s vast protected wilderness areas. In June, the establishment of a new national park near Toronto was announced. According to the Federal government, Rouge Park will be “a sanctuary for nature and the human spirit” and a park easily accessible to the millions who live in and around Toronto. Environment Minister Peter King hopes it will provide an introduction to the park system to those who can’t travel the greater distances to Canada Parks’ more remote natural spaces.

The Future

Much of Canada Parks’ future expansion now centers on the remote North and ocean habitats where wildlife and the environment are in need of protection. Currently in consultation with the Dene to determine boundaries for a park to be named Haats’ihch’oh, north of Nahanni Park in the Northwest Territories, Parks Canada hopes to provide protection for the Nahanni River watershed and surrounding caribou herds. They also have plans for a national park on Sable Island near Halifax to protect its famous horses and seal population.

Let’s Hear From You

My family and I are fairly regular visitors of both the provincial and national park systems in Canada, and recently we traveled south to take in a few national parks in the United States as well, visiting Yellowstone and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks.

Do you make use of the national park system? Where? What was your experience? What do the parks system mean to you and your family? Share your stories and opinions.

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Photo Credit: Banff by Mckaysavage

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Myriam G.

6:27PM PDT on Jul 22, 2011

My favorite National park is Kouchibouguac, New Brunswick; beautiful forest, beautiful beaches, beautiful people

send a green star

Renato G.

6:52PM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

Great article ... Tks for inviting ....

Past Member .

2:10PM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

I would love to visit the parks but too old now. i hope that there will be hundreds more years for them and the wildlife

Valarie S.

1:47PM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

good article

Karen and Ed O.

10:14AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

Happy birthday, Parks Canada. We haven't visited as many Canadian parks as we would have liked, we've been busy for the last 5 years visiting our own. What we saw were magnificent. If you visit Glacier National Park be sure to turn left and continue north to Waterton Lakes National Park ---- beautiful. Together they form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
I can only speak for America's National Parks, but I recommend everyone visit as many as possible. I never would have imagined the variety of beauty and grandeur ever existed. From our magnificent redwoods to the rocky coast of Acadia. From the spectacular Yosemite Valley to the moving atmosphere of Military Parks like Antietam and Shiloh.
If you have no plans for your retirement, seriously consider visiting this beautiful country.

9:40AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

I still remember camping as a child and how fun and different it was.

Rita W.

8:43AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

Our parks are great but they won't be if this dam goverment doesn't stop taking the land and drillin for what ever. Distroying the parks is hurting the wild life which the planet need to keep going. Our parks are beautiful with the lakes, waterfalls, hiking trails, I could go on but there just wouldn't be enough room. I try to visit a park every year but money is getting tight so I will have to see this year. Congrats to Canada's parks.

Mrs S.

7:39AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

Congrats :D
Now, show us you genuinely care so we will allow you to live a 100 more years.

Bianca D.

7:36AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

I have some amazing memories of camping in Algonquin Park :-)

Marianna B M.

6:07AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011