Calgary 
Alberta’s northernmost site, home to badlands, is now a provincial park.
Alberta Parks
Alberta has made extensive changes to enhance the province’s natural spaces by amending, expanding, and establishing the boundaries of 18 provincial parks.
Per the news release, this initiative is set to add more than 1,400 hectares to the provincial park system, an area larger than Nose Hill Park in Calgary.
Central to this expansion are two new parks in northern Alberta: Kleskun Hills Provincial Park, which will encompass over 1,000 hectares, and La Biche Provincial Recreation Area, adding more than 65 hectares. Both parks, derived from previously purchased private land, will offer rustic facilities and camping areas, enriching the recreational landscape of the region.
Alberta says expansion and reorganization of these parks aim to improve public access to Alberta’s diverse landscapes and outdoor recreational spaces.
This growth includes expanding Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, which protects the Big Lake freshwater wetland ecosystem by 238 hectares, enhancing conservation and recreational activities like trail use, paddling, and bird watching. Per the provincial government, this expansion, driven by a management plan developed through public consultation, promises potential trail development.
Bleriot Ferry Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) grew by 2.9 hectares, bolstering public access and camping opportunities for visitors to Drumheller and the Royal Tyrell Museum. Peaceful Valley PRA increased by 37 hectares with land donated by the Alberta Sport Connection Foundation, ensuring scenic river valley views and improved recreation facilities, including a day lodge for seniors, terminally ill individuals, and people with disabilities.
Egg Island Ecological Reserve’s boundary is being amended to correct a historical error in its legal description.
Credit: Govt. of Alberta
Alberta has deregulated twelve provincial recreation areas, with ten of these – Chisholm, Crane Meadow, Eyrie Gap, Fir Creek, Gunn, Little Smoky River, Muriel Lake, Newbrook, North Ram River, and Raven – having been closed for years due to environmental damage or low usage. These small sites, which have been unused for 10 to 20 years and mostly lack facilities, will now be open for public, self-directed recreation.
Per the news release, Fort Vermillion Provincial Recreation Area, another deregulated site, will remain under Mackenzie County’s flexible management for regional recreation and tourism without altering public use. The Big Elbow Provincial Recreation Area’s deregulation resolves an overlap with Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park, ensuring its continued management for backcountry recreation.
As per the government website, this strategic deregulation streamlines the provincial parks system, focusing resources on areas with higher recreational and conservation value while maintaining public recreation access.
Screenshot of Park boundary amendments FAQ Document
Per the news release, these administrative changes do not signify a move towards industrial use of the lands but are part of long-term planning to ensure proper management and public access.
Hunting in these areas will continue to be governed under the Wildlife Act.
Alberta says these actions, including the recent deregulations, aim to match the evolving needs of Albertans while ensuring responsible land management for current and future generations.
More information is available here.
