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National Park Summer Excursion

27th Annual Waskesiu Children’s Festival on Parks Day – July 20th

Jul 15, 2019 | 10:11 AM

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.

Many activities highlight the important role that parks play in maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems, protecting critical habitat for species-at-risk and contributing to human health and well-being. It is a great opportunity for families to discover the fun and excitement in the parks around us.

On July 20th, Prince Albert National Park is celebrating Parks Day with a fun-filled day for the whole family in Waskesiu.

Pick-up a passport to fun at any activity station and explore face painting, crafts, a bear trap, nature games, Lego tent, fire truck tours, and a grand finale with Parka between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Activities at the Waskesiu Children’s Festival are free with park entry fees.

Plant lovers are in for a treat

All sorts of plants and wildlife call Prince Albert National Park home. Not only does the park offer great access to view bison, bears, elk, deer, and foxes thriving in their native habitat, but it also offers excellent opportunities to see beautiful flora in bloom all season long.

And it’s easy to spot a variety of wild flowers when visiting the park. Many wild flowers native to the area bloom along ditches, in open meadows on the park’s west side and along hiking trails.

The Western Red Lily and Scarlet Paintbrush are both in bloom now and greet visitors as they enter the park on Highway 264. Also in bloom is the park’s only wild rose, the Prickly Wild Rose. This bushy shrub thrives in woodland areas which is why it grows abundantly throughout the park.

To learn more about the flora and fauna in the national park, visitors can participate in one of the guided nature walks or other summer programs hosted by a Parks Canada interpreter. So get the camera ready as you explore the park’s natural beauty and remember to keep a safe distance from wildlife when taking pictures of the things you see.

Every day is a beach day

Prince Albert National Park maintains a number of beaches throughout the park, some accessible by car and others only by canoe or boat. The beaches range from wide stretches of fine sand with gentle slopes to tiny spots of sand, gravel and organic matter. With such a range to choose from, beach goers are sure to find a spot to suit their recreational needs.

The Waskesiu Main Beach remains one of the most popular areas in the park on hot days but there are other gems to spend the day at that offer solitude, fire pits and kitchen shelters:

· Point View day use area, located on the Kingsmere Road just past the Waskesiu Marina, offers visitors a quiet place for a picnic and a refreshing dip in the lake.

· Namekus Lake offers a long sandy beach and only non-motorized watercraft are allowed here. It’s a favourite spot for paddle boarders, kayakers and canoeists.

· Sandy Lake has a boat launch, fish fileting station and ample room for an all-day picnic with family and friends.

Swimming and playing on the beach is a lot of fun, however swimmers should know their limits as all beaches and swimming areas in the park are unsupervised. Swimming in these areas is at your own risk and children should be watched at all times. For the safety of swimmers, the use of boats and canoes is not allowed in buoyed swimming areas.

Protecting Waterways from Aquatic Invasive Species

Parks Canada is working to prevent aquatic invasive species by informing visitors about how to prevent species such as zebra mussels from entering waterways.

Visitors are asked to clean, drain, dry their watercrafts and water toys. These items include motorboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, inflatables water toys, sand toys; anything that goes in the water.

For more information click the Nature and Science tab on the Prince Albert National Park website.

Plan and prepare for a safe and enjoyable visit

To make the most of their Parks Canada experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip. Visit the Prince Albert National Park before visiting to plan activities, review safety information and check for area closures and important bulletins.

Before departing for a trip to the park:

Come prepared with basic items, including:

  • · Food, water and equipment to be self-sufficient
  • · Clothing for all weather conditions
  • · Navigation and communication devices
  • · First-aid kit
  • · Flashlight
  • · Sun protection and insect repellent

Some activities require additional gear. Do not rely on mobile devices for emergencies especially when hiking or camping in the park.

Visit Adventuresmart for more information on safe enjoyment of the outdoors and recommended equipment.

Prince Albert National Park Visitor Centre

Contact the Visitor Centre to learn more about activities and events in Prince Albert National Park:

7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (May 18 to September 2)

(306) 663-4522

pc.princealbertinfo.pc@canada.ca

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