Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park finds itself on a prestigious list as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease.
The Fraser Valley park is among several provincial parks slated to reopen for day use only on Thursday, May 14, according to B.C. Parks. This is part of Phase 2 of the province’s reopening plan, in which a number of businesses will be allowed to open under enhanced protocols. Such businesses include parks, retail, restaurants and various medical facilities.
B.C. Parks states that many front- and back-country trails, beaches, picnic areas, washroom facilities and boat launches will open for day use. Visitor centres, nature houses and concessions will be open only on a case-by-case basis. Certain facilities like playgrounds, hot springs, halls and picnic shelters will remain closed.
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The current status of Sasquatch Provincial Park is unknown as of press time. The web page for the park appears not to have been updated past its February 20 closure due to the destruction of Rockwell Road in the District of Kent. The road has since been restored, and Observer staff have reached out to B.C. Parks for comment, which will be updated accordingly.
As of press time, Kilby Provincial Park has no scheduled opening date.
The provincial parks department went on to note officials are scheduled to reopen many provincial campgrounds under enhanced protocols.
“To ensure physical distancing, you may notice some changes in campgrounds, including additional spacing between campsites and limitations on the number of guests in campgrounds,” the web update reads. “Some communal facilities such as shower buildings will open with enhanced cleaning protocols, while campgrounds that require visitors to use shared cooking facilities and backcountry cabins will remain closed.”
READ ALSO: Mayor: Destruction to District of Kent’s Rockwell Drive due to heavy storms may take weeks to repair
The following sites in the readership area remain closed as of press time: Bear Creek, Cascade Peninsula, Chehalis River, Cogburn Beach, Grace Lake, Sloquet Hot Springs, Twenty Mile Bay, Weaver Lake/Weaver Lake Group Site, Wolf Lake and Wood Lake.
Provincial officials urged those who want to visit provincial parks only do so if they are close to home, respect physical distancing and ensure they practice good hygiene. Those who are sick or believe they have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 should stay away altogether.
For more information about closures and other relevant updates, please visit http://bcparks.ca/covid-19.
adam.louis@ahobserver.com
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