Latest news with #ElkIslandNationalPark
CTV News
07-07-2025
- CTV News
Here are the Alberta sites hopping on the Canada Strong Pass this summer
With the Canada Strong Pass now underway across the country, some of Alberta's historical sites and museums are now participating in free entry and discounts for visitors. The pass, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney in June, is meant to encourage tourism within Canada while also helping residents save money. Until Sept. 2, 2025, Canadians can visit any participating national parks, historical sites and marine conservation areas for free or at discounted rates. In the Edmonton area, Elk Island National Park was a popular tourist spot over Canada Day weekend as families ventured into the great outdoors. The Royal Alberta Museum in downtown Edmonton is offering visitors 50 per cent off admission for ages 18 to 24. Children aged 17 and under can get in for free. Rutherford House in the Strathcona area is offering free general admission to all Albertans displaced by wildfires. Below is a list of other sites in the province that are offering free or discounted admission: Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller Reynolds Museum, Cardston Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Fort McMurray Stephansson House, Red Deer County Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Crowsnest Pass Fort George and Buckingham House, St. Paul Historic Dunvegan, Fairview Victoria Settlement, County of Smoky Lake Turner Valley Gas Plant, Diamond Valley Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, Fort Macleod Visitors to any sites participating in the Canada Strong Pass are able to take advantage of the Alberta discount as many times as they like until the end of the program. There is no need to register or get a physical pass. The program is open to all Canadians and visitors alike and any discounts will also be automatically applied online. With files from and CTV News Edmonton's Angela Amato
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
How Elk Island National Park is dealing with an influx of visitors this summer
Staff at Elk Island National Park, just east of Edmonton, are bracing for another bustling summer, especially after the federal government introduced the Canada Strong pass. The pass, which launched last month and ends Sept. 2, includes free admission for all visitors to national historic sites, parks and marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada. It also includes a 25 per cent discount on camping fees. Elk Island saw a lot of visitors this spring, but even more people have been entering the park since the Canada Strong Pass was introduced, said park superintendent Dale Kirkland. So finding a balance between safety and enjoyment of the park is paramount. "It's been great that this free entry has enabled people to ease access into Elk Island and connect with the wonderful nature here," Kirkland told CBC News Saturday. "But at the same time, we're seeing even a stronger increase in visitation, which we're having to manage." A busy season last year led to some collisions that killed several bison. The park is reporting increased visitation during the evening and nighttime, bringing an increased risk of wildlife collisions and mortality, Kirkland said. To better mitigate those issues, park staff is proactively closing the gate to the park in the evenings, and limiting the number of vehicles allowed inside at one time. Despite the restrictions, staff and visitors said the park is busy as ever. Oleksander Koshchieiev, a park visitor, said a line to get in had already formed when he arrived at 10:30 a.m. MT Saturday. "It [will] encourage people to travel locally more … People like to travel somewhere to Costco, or maybe to West Edmonton Mall, [which] is really strange when we have such a beautiful park here," said Koshchieiev, who visits Elk Island every two months. "Why not spend your weekend during such good weather outside?" Kirkland said park staff are encouraging locals and tourists to try to experience the park during weekdays, as it fills up fast during weekends.
CBC
06-07-2025
- CBC
How Elk Island National Park is dealing with an influx of visitors this summer
Staff at Elk Island National Park, just east of Edmonton, are bracing for another bustling summer, especially after the federal government introduced the Canada Strong pass. The pass, which launched last month and ends Sept. 2, includes free admission for all visitors to national historic sites, parks and marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada. It also includes a 25 per cent discount on camping fees. Elk Island saw a lot of visitors this spring, but even more people have been entering the park since the Canada Strong Pass was introduced, said park superintendent Dale Kirkland. So finding a balance between safety and enjoyment of the park is paramount. "It's been great that this free entry has enabled people to ease access into Elk Island and connect with the wonderful nature here," Kirkland told CBC News Saturday. "But at the same time, we're seeing even a stronger increase in visitation, which we're having to manage." A busy season last year led to some collisions that killed several bison. The park is reporting increased visitation during the evening and nighttime, bringing an increased risk of wildlife collisions and mortality, Kirkland said. To better mitigate those issues, park staff is proactively closing the gate to the park in the evenings, and limiting the number of vehicles allowed inside at one time. Despite the restrictions, staff and visitors said the park is busy as ever. Oleksander Koshchieiev, a park visitor, said a line to get in had already formed when he arrived at 10:30 a.m. MT Saturday. "It [will] encourage people to travel locally more … People like to travel somewhere to Costco, or maybe to West Edmonton Mall, [which] is really strange when we have such a beautiful park here," said Koshchieiev, who visits Elk Island every two months. "Why not spend your weekend during such good weather outside?" Kirkland said park staff are encouraging locals and tourists to try to experience the park during weekdays, as it fills up fast during weekends.
CTV News
30-06-2025
- CTV News
‘Very happy to use it': Canadians explore Elk Island with free pass
Families gathered at Elk Island National Park over the Canada Day weekend. (CTV News Edmonton) Elk Island National Park was bustling Canada Day weekend as families enjoyed the summer weather and the great outdoors. Sagar Mehta said he was encouraged to bring his family out with the new Canada Strong Pass. 'Because we have the Canada Strong Pass, it actually helps us bring the family here, explore the nature, and it's amazing,' said Mehta at Elk Island National Park Sunday. 'We are planning to visit as many parks as possible this summer,' said Mehta's brother. 'It's a really great program. I'm very happy to use it.' Until Sept. 2, 2025, Canadians can visit national parks, historical sites and marine conservation areas for free. The initiative, spearheaded by Ottawa in light of the tariff war between the U.S., also gives campers a 25 per cent discount on camping fees and allows children under the age of 17 to ride for free on VIA Rail. Elk Island The entrance to Elk Island National Park is seen on June 29, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton) Dozens of vehicles were lined up to get into Elk Island National Park on Sunday, filled with tents, barbecues and games. 'I expected it to kind of have a busy lineup,' said one visitor. 'But it's actually not too bad, I wouldn't say it's crowded.' Elk Island Families gathered at Elk Island National Park over the Canada Day weekend. (CTV News Edmonton) Many visitors to the park had their hearts set on visiting Banff and Jasper this summer as well. 'It's a great way for Canada, as a whole, to promote parks and enjoy wildlife and bonding with families,' said another visitor. While many are looking to explore the Rockies this summer, there has been some concern about overcrowding, which can cause harm to ecosystems. Last year, more than 540,000 visitors went to Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta – marking it the second busiest year on record, according to Parks Canada. The busiest year was when admission was free in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday in 2017. CTV News Edmonton reached out to Parks Canada for a comment but have yet to hear back. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti and CTV News Lethbridge's Karsen Marczuk.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
AHS warns of blue-green algae at Elk Island
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning visitors to Elk Island National Park of blue-green algae seen in the waters of Astotin Lake. The health authority said to avoid all contact with blue-green algae blooms and to wash with tap water as soon as possible if contact occurs. Do not swim or allow pets to swim or wade in areas where the algae is visible. Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake. Do not feed any fish or fish trimmings to pets. Fish filets from the lake are safe for humans to eat. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface water. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy. Blue-green algae Blue-green algae is seen near the shore in this undated photo. (Courtesy: Grand River Conservation Authority/ Skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea can occur when exposed to blue-green algae or by consuming water containing the bacteria. Exposure to blue-green algae can cause death to pets. Waters of Astotin Lake that do not have visible blue-green algae can still be used for recreational purposes.
