FAQs

Facility improvement projects in parks take time, from planning, through to design and construction. Good planning early on helps ensure later stages of facility projects are successful.

Although increases in the number of visitors to parks have created a pressing need for facility improvements to effectively manage use and deliver a quality experience, changing use patterns make it challenging to predict exactly what facility improvements are most needed. 

As well, park management is increasingly complex. Development of recreational facilities needs to be balanced with Indigenous reconciliation and park management objectives such as conservation of ecological and cultural values. Recreational opportunities also must meet the needs of a wide diversity of visitors. To achieve balance, facility projects need to be planned and completed thoughtfully and carefully.

This plan and process do not replace a management plan. A Park Management Plan was completed for Golden Ears Provincial Park in 2013. The management plan provides guidance on recreation objectives and strategies, including some strategies for improvements to recreational facilities. The Recreation Facility Plan will be informed by the Golden Ears Park Management Plan and will provide updated and prioritized recommendations on recreation facility needs with greater detail for facility project implementation.

The project will have no effect on park use until facility projects are started, which would occur at the earliest later in 2023. 

Even once started, facility projects are planned to minimize impacts to park visitors. For example, access to visitor facilities is maintained wherever safe and possible, and any closures or restrictions will be communicated in advance on park websites and signs in the parks. 

The Recreation Facility Plan will identify facilities to be improved or built over the next 10 years, subject to available funding, although the timeframe may be longer. However, BC Parks hopes to start some priority projects during 2023. 

Yes. The draft Recreation Facility Plan, including recommendations, will be presented for stakeholder and public review before the final report is completed. An opportunity to provide feedback on the draft plan will be posted on this webpage.

In addition, following initial stakeholder and public engagement, ‘What We Heard’ summaries of the results of engagement will be posted on this webpage.

Results of stakeholder and public engagement will influence the content and recommendations of the plan.

Suggestions from stakeholders and the public will be evaluated along with other criteria including (but not limited to) number of visitors served, improvement to accessibility and inclusivity, existing similar opportunities, condition of existing infrastructure, and potential impacts to environmental and cultural resources.