Province seeks new round of feedback on parks plan

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on July 12, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Forestry and Parks is looking for feedback from Albertans as they stare down the future of the Provincial Park System.

Until July 26, Albertans can go online and provide feedback on the new draft Plan for Parks via a survey, which makes up the second round of engagement for the proposed plan.

“Last summer, we engaged more generally on the vision, the guiding principles and the key priorities that Albertans have for parks, and that was more of an open ended engagement,” said Robin Schmidt, director of planning and strategic initiatives with the parks division of Forestry and Parks.

This round, they have created a draft plan, which they would like more direct feedback regarding as they move forward to creating a finalized plan for both the long-term and more immediate direction for the various conservation and recreation sites managed under the Provincial Parks Act, including provincial parks, provincial recreation areas and wildland provincial parks.

The new draft builds on the original Plan for Parks, which launched in 2009 as a 10-year plan.

Schmidt explained they are looking for feedback on all aspects of the plan, and from people with different priorities and park-visiting habits, to get a rounded idea of what Albertans want from their parks, be it front country camping, backcountry activity, or anything in between.

Schmidt says the plan contains strategy for the immediate next 10 years in line with the proposed new vision for the park system, while keeping the desire to have the parks available and healthy for generations to come.

It will not alter management intent or change permitted activities or land uses for any park designation, nor does it impact hunting opportunities or currently allowed exercise of First Nations’ Treaty Rights and recognized Métis harvesting.

“The plan is really about balancing conservation with recreation, which is at the heart of what we need to do for the provincial park system. And so we’re proposing some actions on how to do that,” said Schmidt. “We’re expanding and looking to expand and enhance recreation, focusing on which areas we think are heavily needed for those, but also some really new policy initiatives, or planning initiatives, to help us manage that new use sustainably.”

The survey is estimated to take ten to 15 minutes to complete, and is available online at alberta.ca/plan-for-parks-engagement. Schmidt encourages those interested to read the draft plan prior to taking the survey, which is available on the same page, as most questions will pertain directly to the content of the draft plan.

“We will be looking at, you know, every piece of input that’s come in from the public, from Indigenous communities and organizations, and from stakeholders and partners,” said Schmidt. “Ultimately, you know, recommending how that plan might need to adapt based on what we heard. We are listening, and I really encourage people to read the plan and tell us what they think.”

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