By The Canadian Press

Attendance drops at national parks after free entry year

Dec 10, 2018 | 8:23 AM

Attendance is down at nearly every national park in Alberta this year, which isn’t surprising when you consider admission to parks was free last year for Canada 150 celebrations.

Visitors at Elk Island National Park dropped 29 per cent compared to 2017, but the park’s promotion officer says there’s actually been an upward trend in visitors since 2011.

Brennan Bunko says admission this year was nine per cent higher than 2016, the year before admission was free.

Parks Canada has since announced that entry fees are permanently waived for children, although adults will still have to pay.