The government’s survey found strong opposition to paying extra fees at busy periods as well as large-scale commercial development in parks
Albertans would like to see measures making provincial parks more accessible and affordable, and are opposed to more fees, large development and private operators, the results of an Alberta government survey shows.
Postmedia acquired 26 pages of an internal report summarizing the results of more than 4,900 survey responses via a freedom of information request.
Around 70 per cent of respondents said they were in support of building less costly basic campsites that are designed without power or water as a way of increasing affordable camping options.
Other ideas supported by a majority of respondents to make park access more equitable included creating more accommodation types for visitors with disabilities (59 per cent) and developing more park access options without a personal vehicle (51 per cent).
Relative to improving the diversity of recreation opportunities in Alberta parks, respondents most strongly supported providing opportunities for quiet and mindful interactions with nature (85 per cent), and expanding trail networks within parks (64 per cent).
Creating more opportunities for motorized recreation was among the least-supported ideas, with 82 per cent of respondents opposed.
Other options that drew clear opposition included creating more opportunities for recreation with electric equipment like hoverboards or e-scooters (75 per cent opposed), supporting private recreational development (70 per cent), and expanding permitted hunting opportunities (66 per cent).
There was also significant opposition to the potential of paying additional user fees where visitor and recreation demands are busiest, with 53 per cent of respondents opposing to doing so compared to 25 per cent in favour.
The idea of allowing more large-scale commercial development also drew criticism, with 83 per cent of respondents opposed.
The most commonly-cited barriers to park enjoyment were insufficient education about and enforcement of current regulations (62 per cent), other visitors being unaware of some of those regulations (60 per cent), and a lack of regulations deterring undesirable and/or damaging visitor behaviours (57 per cent).
More than 93 per cent of all respondents indicated they had lived in Alberta for more than a decade.
The Ministry of Forestry and Parks says the results will be used to help craft the draft of the new plan.
“Your feedback, along with government direction, research, analysis and lessons learned from the original plan, will help shape a new plan for parks so that current and future generations can continue to discover, value, protect and enjoy Alberta’s parks and the benefits they provide,” its website reads.
The office for Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen did not respond to a request for comment and more details from Postmedia.