Outdoor group calls for more funding for parks
CPAWS-BC spokeswoman Tori Ball said the society wants the B.C. government to use some of the $1.5 billion it is planning to spend to support the economy in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak to improve the park system.
The B.C. Parks website crashed last Monday when bookings opened at 7 a.m. as 50,000 people tried to reserve a campsite. “Consistent underfunding of B.C. Parks over decades has created long-standing issues with failing and unsafe infrastructure,” said Bruce Passmore, executive director of CPAWS-BC. “Under-resourced and overworked staff has left parks ill-equipped to handle a surge in visitors at the best of times.”Article content continuedin early May, Passmore said the B.C. Parks budget was effectively reduced by four per cent this year.
“Concerns for the health of our parks are becoming increasingly connected with concerns for the health of British Columbians,” she said.Article content continued “Over the past few years, Metro Vancouver has been acquiring lands to widen Kanaka Creek Regional Park at its narrowest points to create a more ecologically-resilient park,” said John McEwen, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks Committee.Article content continued
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