BC Government News Release: Province improves inclusion, accessibility in BC parks

BC Government Release below:

The Province is renewing and expanding its commitment to make B.C. parks more inclusive and accessible with the release of the BC Parks Commitment to Inclusion.

The commitment comes with additional funding to upgrade park facilities to accessible standards, so that more people can experience the benefits of being in nature.

The BC Parks Commitment to Inclusion outlines a vision to ensure everyone feels welcome in provincial parks, as well as eight guiding principles that can be applied to any aspect of park management, including natural places, digital services, facilities and programs. These principles will help remove barriers that restrict people from accessing outdoor recreation in their community. The Commitment to Inclusion outlines the range of actions the Province has taken to ensure provincial parks and protected areas are more welcoming to people, along with a pledge to continue several initiatives, such as:

• ensuring front-country campgrounds and day-use areas have accessible, inclusive features;
• where practical, building new front-country campgrounds to a universal design standard, and making the maximum possible number of campsites accessible to all;
• shifting to gender-neutral, universal facilities wherever feasible;
• sharing diverse cultural connections through increased storytelling and interpretation;
• supporting partnerships and programs for adaptive recreation equipment; and
• fostering a culture of inclusion among BC Parks staff, park operators and volunteers.

Read the full release from the BC Government here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ENV0021-000369

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Media Relations
250 953-3834