CBC Sask: National parks cut cross-country ski trail workCuts mean end to ski trails at Prince Albert National Park and Riding Mountain National Park
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2012/11/06/sk-cross-country-ski-trails-national-parks-121106.html"One of the services we've reduced or cut back on or ended for this year is the track setting for the ski trails," Alan Fehr, the park superintendent for Prince Albert National Park, told CBC News Tuesday. "And some of the backcountry camping services, we've cut those as well."I love Prince Albert National Park in the winter. It's quiet and the ski and snowshoe trails are super. Snowmobiles are not allowed, so it is one of VERY FEW places in Saskatchewan where we can ski and be assured of not encountering a skidoo on the trail, or have a skidoo or quad wrecking the tracks.
What we SHOULD be doing, is encouraging more people to utilize the parks in the winter, not discourageing them. We are becoming fatter, lazier, and more out of touch with the real world and these cuts are a huge step backward. I am so disappointed.
This is a blow to those of us that enjoy the outdoors in winter without the noise and smell of an engine, it's a blow to society as a whole in terms of physical fitness, mental health, and connection to the natural world, and it's a blow to the business owners who benefit from having such fantastic skiiing (literally) on their doorstep.
Very sad indeed. Another thing to do is for Canadians who enjoy this stuff to get out and vote next election.
ReplyDeleteThe cynic in me suggests that this is a ploy by the parks to get attention to their plight. If they make cost-cutting measures that no-one notices, then it does nothing to restore their funding. However, If they axe a few things that get noticed, then folks like me who use the service, and the local business owners that are severely impacted, all kick up a fuss, write letters to our MPs, and demand action.
DeleteI see the same thing happen with CBC. They canned some really good programs and I'm fairly certain they picked ones that would get noticed. (I'm thinking of 'Dispatches', in particular.)
Bryan
Very good point Bryan and one I hadn't really thought of. Thanks for providing another view point. I totally agree!
ReplyDeleteBureaucratic stuff on all sides eh? =0)
Cheer's
I agree 100% with your "rant" on the curtailing of winter services in PANP. I think one of the big problems with lobbying for maintaining track setting in the Park is the lack of a "critical mass" of users which would have real influence in a voter sense. On the other hand, some of the solutions that have been floated about getting volunteers & businesses involved may be an feasible option as a short term fix. Getting cooperation from the ponderous Federal bureaucracy would then be the next challenge!
ReplyDeleteI do agree this funding should remain in place. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, I think that recreational users should, in some cases, be more willing to pay more of the true cost of the services they enjoy, and not expect all tax payers to subsidize these services (perhaps with discounts for low income persons).
On the other hand, I think some level subsidizing should occur to give incentive for people to get outside. Not sure what the balance is.
Maybe instead of cross-country skiing you could combine the joy of exploring rivers and winter cycling like these daring guys??
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi9QIdxKrvo