Toronto 
Did you know you can visit Parks Canada parks or Canadian National Parks for free with a doctor’s prescription?
Credit: Parks Canada
PaRx or Park Prescriptions has partnered with Parks Canada to provide free admission to national parks so that doctors can help you to improve your physical and mental health by prescribing time in a national park, national historic site, or national marine conservation area.
“We are very lucky in Canada to have a world of beautiful natural spaces at our doorstep to enjoy healthy outdoor activities. Medical research now clearly shows the positive health benefits of connecting with nature. This exciting collaboration with PaRx is a breakthrough for how we treat mental and physical health challenges, and couldn’t come at a better time as we continue to grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our daily lives,” said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada in a statement.
PaRx was launched by BC Parks Foundation in 2020 and it is Canada’s first national nature prescription program. The program has over 1,000 doctors, nurses, and other licensed health care professionals who are authorized to prescribed nature.
The health professionals registered with Park Prescriptions can prescribe annual Discovery Pass for those who need nature for their well-being. The annual Discovery Pass costs $72.25 for adults aged 18-64 and $61.75 for seniors (65+) and allows you to visit over 80 destinations.
The news release states, “Participating prescribers across Canada will have the opportunity to prescribe an Adult Parks Canada Discovery Pass to their patients and are asked to prioritize those who live close to national parks, national historic sites, or national marine conservation areas, and who could benefit from it the most.”
Currently, BC Family Doctors, Saskatchewan Medical Association, Nurse Practitioners Association of Manitoba and Ontario College of Family Physicians have endorsed the program. Parks Prescription is working to launch the program across the country.
In addition to national parks, those with PaRx PaRx prescription can visit the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Nitobe Memorial Garden in Vancouver for free.
You can learn more about the program here.
