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 and will inform the Mount Seymour Provincial Park Management Plan, which is being prepared in collaboration with First Nations. 

The Recreation Facility Plan is being undertaken now before completion of the management plan because of high levels of visitation at Mount Seymour Provincial Park, the need for facility improvements to effectively manage use, and the time-bound availability of additional funding for recreational improvements through BC Parks’ current mandate priority for recreation expansion. 

As the management planning process continues, the Recreation Facility Plan fills a gap by providing interim management recommendations on recreation facility needs. 

No, the scope will focus on facilities, although facilities that improve delivery of services are within scope of this project. For example, in relation to the day use pass, one facility that may be considered in this project is a suitable location and infrastructure for checking day use passes. 

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.