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B.C. Parks

B.C. to expand 5 provincial parks

Nov 7, 2023 | 12:23 PM

NORTHERN B.C.— The Province has made another round of purchases, this time looking to expand park access across the Province.

The closest to Prince George is the Bowron Lake Park, near Quesnel, and the Mount Pope Park, in Fort St. James. The Bowron Lake Park as increased by three hectares to a nearby forested hillside. The addition will add to the diversity of the parks landscape, including lower-elevation mature spruce, subalpine fir and western red cedar forests.

The Mount Pope Park is the smallest acquisition at 0.15 hectares. This land is near the climbing area and will include a planned parking/turnaround space on the existing road.

The other area includes:

  • Naikoon Park (Haida Gwaii): This is the largest area of land purchased at 64 Hectares of land surrounding the park. This land contains old-growth forest deep inside the park which is now protected. It is also a popular swimming hole and canoe circuit.
  • Wells Gray Park (near Clearwater): The second largest parcel of land at 33.25 Hectares containing wetlands, advanced second-growth forest and habitat for black bears, moose, deer, birds and small mammals.
  • Gladstone Park (near Grand Forks): 8.28 Hectares that contains a popular local swimming area known as Potholes. The new addition will improve the existing trail network and connectivity through the park.

The total land purchased equates to 109 hectares and is valued at $1.9 million.

“Our government continually looks for opportunities to acquire more ecologically and culturally significant land for conservation purposes, and for people to enjoy,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “Acquiring these lands enhances protection of important ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and improves access to outdoor recreation experiences.”

British columbia has 1039 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas covering over 14 million hectares or approximately 14.4% of all land in B.C.