Photo: Twitter / County of Grande Prairie

By Shaun Penner

County Camping

County of Grande Prairie to open campgrounds June 1

May 1, 2020 | 5:25 PM

The County of Grande Prairie says it plans to re-open its campgrounds starting June 1, while day use areas will open up at some parks beginning Saturday for weekend use.

Following Thursday’s announcement of the province’s staged relaunch from COVID-19, the County says in a release that it will be opening up its online reservation system for Pipestone Creek campground, as well as telephone reservations for individual sites at Bear Lake, Hommy and Kleskun Hill beginning May 14. This is in line with the province’s plan for provincial parks and campgrounds for the beginning of June.

With province-wide restrictions still in place for group camping, sites at Old Bezanson Townsite and Bear Hill will not be made available.

As well, the County says that starting Saturday, May 2, day use areas at Hommy, Pipestone Creek, Bear Lake and Kleskun Hill parks will be open on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For Bear Lake, watercraft such as kayaks and canoes will be permitted to use, but due to high water levels no motorboats are allowed.

Outhouses will be available at these sites and users are reminded to adhere to enhanced hygiene practices when using them. Playgrounds will remain closed on orders from the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership.

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There will be restrictions in place at all campgrounds and day use areas as public health mandates, like keeping a two metres physical distance from others, are still in place. Some other restrictions include:

• A full fire ban. Fires cannot be lit in County operated parks and campgrounds until further notice.
• No more than 15 people per gathering.
• The closure of playgrounds and public shelters, like cookhouses.

“We’re thrilled to resume summer parks operations with some restrictions to accommodate safety measures necessitated by COVID-19,” said Christine Rawlins, Parks and Recreation Manager for the County. “We appreciate that everyone is excited to get back to near normal summertime activities and enjoy time at our outdoor facilities.