May long weekend a busy time for Waskesiu and P.A. National Park

“We’re just going to hangout and mingle with the customers and have a good time.”

Archer added that the ribbon cutting will begin at 1 p.m., with anyone welcome to come check out the store, learn its history and take part in the activities.

Lisa Rowe, administrator for the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce, told paNOW there are a variety of other events taking place throughout the area over the long weekend.

“This weekend is the seventh annual Vincent Hadley-Logue Memorial golf tournament. Saturday evening there is a sponsors event and Sunday there is a banquet at the community hall,” said Lowe.

“As well, on Saturday night we have Valdy performing at Terrace Gardens, with Bea Kobialko who’s actually a Parks Canada employee opening up the show at 7:30.”

Following the concert, an after party will be hosted featuring Maxwell Music.

“As well, the Waskesiu Recreation Association has officially opened up our mini golf for the season as of today. Our tennis courts and pickle ball are open for the season as well,” Lowe said.

“There’s lots of stuff to do so hopefully we will have lots of people come out and enjoy the weather.”

A number of returning businesses will also be available for patrons, including the Grey Owl Centre, Fish Tales Gallery, L.A. Outfitters, Lake Life, Outter Limits, Pine & Fancy Sweet Memories and Wishing Well Gifts.

In addition, camping within Prince Albert National Park is officially open for the season. Reservations can be made for tent or trailer camping in Beaver Glen or RV camping in Red Deer (full service) by visiting www.reservation.pc.gc.ca or calling 1-877-737-3783. First–come, first–serve campgrounds are also available around the park. There is a liquor and cannabis restriction in effect in all campgrounds on the long weekend.

The fishing season in the park opens Saturday, May 18. Fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Centre, campgrounds, entrance gates, and marinas.

The Prince Albert National Park Nature Centre is also open for the season, opening daily from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 17 to Monday, September 3, with interactive displays and exhibits.

Waskesiu will also feature new FireSmart Demonstration areas this season.

A four hectare section of land adjacent to the golf course and Highway 263 now features the fuel management strategies of FireSmart, a program designed to help protect people, infrastructure and surrounding lands from wildfire.

“The FireSmart program addresses the reality of residing within the fire-dependent ecosystems such as the national park,” said Parks Canada Vegetation Ecologist, Dustin Guedo.

“Routine yard maintenance like pruning trees, clearing eaves and removing twigs and branches are ways to manage vegetation in priority zone one and help protect your home.”

In consultation with the Waskesiu Golf Course, the park water treatment plant on Willow Street was selected to represent a home or business located in the wildland-urban interface, an area where homes and businesses are nestled among trees along the edge of a forest or other flammable vegetation. The building backs onto a forested area of the community on park property and the golf course lease hold, and has a power line corridor located nearby.

From January to March 2019, the principles of the FireSmart program’s Priority Zones one, two and three were implemented in the area surrounding the plant to provide an example of wildfire risk reduction work to public.

In Zone 1 (10 metres), a fire-resistant zone was created around the park water treatment plant that is free of materials that could easily ignite from a wildfire.

In Zone 2 (10 – 30 metres), evergreen trees are thinned and pruned, and deadfall is cleaned-up to reduce fire hazards.

Work continues in Zone 3 (30 – 100 metres), space was created between trees and other flammable vegetation.

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brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TheDigitalBirdy

by Brady Bateman

May long weekend a busy time for Waskesiu and P.A. National Park

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