Saskatchewan people like to camp, particularly in provincial parks.
And so do many visitors to the province, says the provincial government.
The tourism, parks, culture and sport ministry is in the early stages of identifying possible locations for new parks to meet the growing demand.
Parks minister Bill Hutchinson said it’s too soon to say how many parks might be established and where they would be, but it’s likely there will be at least two.
There are several options for location, including areas that don’t have parks close by or areas with particular geographical features.
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“We’re looking for places that might be close to major population centres,” he said.
Hutchinson said park visits are increasing by 10 percent a year, and the government has responded by increasing parks spending by 70 percent in the last three years.
“We need to accommodate that demand and make sure we’re ready for them,” he said.
The government will build proposed parks on land it already owns, Hutchinson said, but it will also consult with local residents, municipalities, cottage owners and First Nations.
He said maintaining good facilities and services at existing parks is important.
The Saskatchewan Party promised in the 2007 election campaign to electrify 1,000 additional campsites, and Hutchinson said that number will be exceeded.
The first provincial parks were established in 1931 after Ottawa transferred control of natural resources to the province.
The first parks, which were at first established on dominion forest reserves, included Cypress Hills, Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Moose Mountain, Katepwa Point and Little Manitou, which was removed in 1956.
The most recent park is Clarence- Steepbank, a wilderness park established in 1994.
Saskatchewan operates 34 provincial parks, including those with a historical focus.
