Parks near reservations closed until further notice!?!?

[CptnBlues63]

So I live not too far from Calling Lake and fish there a lot. After hearing the parks were either open or opening June 1st I was planning on going out for opening day on Calling Lake. My wife kept bugging me to check to see if the boat launch was open and sent me a link saying it wasn't.

I called Alberta Parks and they told me Calling lake park is closed until further notice and not opening on June 1st. Nobody could tell me why it's closed or when it may open. I left my number and am still waiting to hear back. I'm not holding my breath.

I called F&W the lady there told me she thought our esteemed prime minister had closed all parks near reservations in an attempt to protect our native population.

I've tried some researching on the web to find out what's going on and why but I'm having no luck.

Does anybody have a link or any definitive info they can pass along to me regarding park closures near reservations??

Luckily for me there's a second boat launch at Calling Lake that isn't part of the darn park.............

[Albertadiver]

Wouldn't surprise me....

[Drewski Canuck]

The PP has been closed for camping for the season, but the issue is the day use area.

When the cut backs were announced, there was the very subtle statement that the Province was looking to the Counties to operate a number of parks, such as Calling Lake.

MD is saying they will not operate it. MD of Opportunity already operates Rock Island and it is a money loser.

To operate Calling Lake PP would be a big undertaking, with no revenue for day use. MD has Ben Auger Park, Jeramy Nipishank Park, the Cultural Grounds, etc, that they already operate. Boat Launch at Ben Auger in any event.

Just getting a contractor to haul away fish guts and garbage, and clean outhouses, would be a big and expensive job.

With the traffic, I cannot understand why someone does not set up a concession and bait shop, with coffee and pop and ice cream, at the boat launch. The Contract could require the concession operator to do the garbage clean up in exchange.

Cannot say more on the issue. What I can recommend is that Sh*t rolls downhill. Contact the Premier's Office and tell the assistant that this is a ridiculous situation and he just lost your vote.

Drewski

[wind drift]

Originally Posted by CptnBlues63

So I live not too far from Calling Lake and fish there a lot. After hearing the parks were either open or opening June 1st I was planning on going out for opening day on Calling Lake. My wife kept bugging me to check to see if the boat launch was open and sent me a link saying it wasn't.

I called Alberta Parks and they told me Calling lake park is closed until further notice and not opening on June 1st. Nobody could tell me why it's closed or when it may open. I left my number and am still waiting to hear back. I'm not holding my breath.

I called F&W the lady there told me she thought our esteemed prime minister had closed all parks near reservations in an attempt to protect our native population.

I've tried some researching on the web to find out what's going on and why but I'm having no luck.

Does anybody have a link or any definitive info they can pass along to me regarding park closures near reservations??

Luckily for me there's a second boat launch at Calling Lake that isn't part of the darn park.............

Prime Minister? What would he have to do with a provincial park?

[Drewski Canuck]

Ummmmmm,


Winddrift, Jason Kenney is NOT the Prime Minister of Northwest America until we separate, do you understand?

For now, Jason Kenney is only The Premier of Alberta, and it is Alberta who has jurisdiction over the issue of Provincial Parks.

But, I do like the way you think!!!

Drewski

[calvin]

So Drewski, if I can summarize what you’re saying. Calling lake is basically done for this year!! Wow!! The way I’m reading what you’re saying is the boat launch will be shut down, no camping for this season, and the place will turn into a garbage dump.

[liar]

by reservation do you mean reserve ? reservation is the american spelling .

[CptnBlues63]

Originally Posted by liar

by reservation do you mean reserve ? reservation is the american spelling .

This from a person who doesn't know how to capitalize or use punctuation.

As my dearly departed dad would say, "Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot than open it and remove all doubt"

[Drewski Canuck]

Originally Posted by calvin

So Drewski, if I can summarize what you’re saying. Calling lake is basically done for this year!! Wow!! The way I’m reading what you’re saying is the boat launch will be shut down, no camping for this season, and the place will turn into a garbage dump.

NOPE!!!

There is a boat launch, an MD Boat Launch, at Ben Auger Park on the north end of Calling Lake Drive, north of the Jean Baptiste Indian Reserve, before you cross sucker creek.

Nice playground for the kids, big parking area.

Bernie Cardinal and his crew from the MD have been working on the park getting the piers in.

Drewski

[CptnBlues63]

Originally Posted by wind drift

Prime Minister? What would he have to do with a provincial park?

Good question, it's what I was told. Like I said, I'm looking for info and I think I found it thanks to Dreski.

Originally Posted by Drewski Canuck

The PP has been closed for camping for the season, but the issue is the day use area.

When the cut backs were announced, there was the very subtle statement that the Province was looking to the Counties to operate a number of parks, such as Calling Lake.

MD is saying they will not operate it. MD of Opportunity already operates Rock Island and it is a money loser.

To operate Calling Lake PP would be a big undertaking, with no revenue for day use. MD has Ben Auger Park, Jeramy Nipishank Park, the Cultural Grounds, etc, that they already operate. Boat Launch at Ben Auger in any event.

Just getting a contractor to haul away fish guts and garbage, and clean outhouses, would be a big and expensive job.

With the traffic, I cannot understand why someone does not set up a concession and bait shop, with coffee and pop and ice cream, at the boat launch. The Contract could require the concession operator to do the garbage clean up in exchange.

Cannot say more on the issue. What I can recommend is that Sh*t rolls downhill. Contact the Premier's Office and tell the assistant that this is a ridiculous situation and he just lost your vote.

Drewski

This all makes sense. Sad but, makes sense. I couldn't agree more about a bait/coffee shop. I also think it would be a good idea to charge a boat launch fee. Maybe something like $5 per or have a season price.

A couple years back my bro from back home in Saskatoon was up fishing with me and he commented on how crappy the launch in the park is. I couldn't agree more. He mentioned that a lot of lakes in SK are now charging a boat launch fee to cover the cost of upkeep on their launches. I think it's a terrific idea. I do not mind in the least supporting my favorite passtimes (make that "passions") and this would be a good way to do it. I know a lot of folks wouldn't agree. But I think it's every bit as good an idea as putting up a coffee/concession/bait shop.

As for the day use idea........the Alberta Parks website has a big red banner on the Calling Lake page stating it's open for day use. But upon asking the kid I got on the phone about that he told me that banner appears on every page and it's wrong as far as Calling Lake goes.........he said Calling Lake is closed until further notice.

Thanks for the info Drew, I've only ever been to the Ben Auger boat launch one time about a decade ago.........I'm pretty sure I'll find it no problem. Now if the weather would just cooperate......................