Fort Walsh National Historic Site officially opens for the visitor season

by ahnationtalk on May 17, 2018723 Views

News release

Free admission for youth at Parks Canada’s places starting in 2018

May 16, 2018 Maple Creek, Saskatchewan Parks Canada Agency

Parks Canada’s places represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Millions of Canadians celebrated Canada 150 with free admission to Parks Canada’s places in 2017 and more Canadians than ever before had amazing experiences. Building on that success, the Government has announced free admission to Parks Canada’s places for youth aged 17 and under, starting in 2018 and beyond. T his will make discovering nature and connecting with our history easier and more affordable for families.

Through the Parks Canada Discovery Pass, families and groups will have unlimited opportunities to visit national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites throughout the year.

Starting on May 29th, Fort Walsh National Historic Site will begin welcoming visitors for the 2018 season.

This year, Fort Walsh National Historic Site is offering new services to enable more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to experience the outdoors and experience Canada’s rich heritage. Fort Walsh National Historic Site will be offering bike rentals, allowing visitors to explore the Cypress Hills in a whole new way. New programs include a daily feature, mid-day stables, and guided tours of the Fort. The site will also be offering guided bus tours to the original sites of Farwell and Solomon’s trading posts.

Running enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Rotgut Run on June 23rd for an opportunity to race through the Cypress Hills in the “toughest 5K in Saskatchewan”.

Funded through the federal infrastructure investment program as announced in May 2016, the Visitor Centre renovations are complete and the brand new exhibit and film will present visitors with the story of Fort Walsh and the Cypress Hills Massacre. The new exhibits were developed in close consultation with indigenous and community partners. Parks Canada is actively working with our

partners, including Indigenous groups, to share the stories of our treasured places, and to monitor and restore sensitive ecosystems, advance conservation initiatives, protect species at risk, and expand our knowledge of biodiversity and climate change.

To have a memorable time and make the most of their Parks Canada experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip in advance. Visitors can order their Discovery Pass and make camping reservations online by visiting the Parks Canada’s Website. Visitors are also encouraged to download the incredibly popular Parks Canada’s mobile app and follow us on social media for more information about the breathtaking locations, and hidden gems at national parks, marine conservation areas, and historic sites.

Quotes

“This year we are celebrating families with free admission for youth aged 17 and under. We want to inspire youth to discover, connect, and protect Canada’s remarkable nature and history. And as always, we encourage all visitors to plan their trips and discover new and exciting destinations across the country, by consulting Parks Canada’s Website, or downloading the Parks Canada’s Mobile App for a list of hidden gems and other unique and memorable ways to experience our national treasures.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Quick facts

Situated in the Cypress Hills of southwestern Saskatchewan, Fort Walsh National Historic Site presided over one of the most dramatic periods of change on the Prairies. Fort Walsh was designated a national historic site in 1924.
Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These federal infrastructure investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.
Beginning in 2018, Parks Canada will return to fee-based admission. Admission fees will not increase over 2016 levels.
Canadians are encouraged to order their Parks Canada Discovery Passes online. Discovery Passes are also available at Parks Canada’s entry gates and visitor centres. Please visit the Parks Canada’s Website for more information.
As in the past, our partners, such as Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), will be selling Discovery Passes as of January 2018. Please visit the Webpage of a partner location near you for details.
Enter Parks Canada’s Discover Canada contest for a chance to win an amazing trip to Canada’s west coast and other bi-weekly prizes, including Discovery Passes, merchandise and more. In collaboration with our proud partners: MEC, CIBC, and Air Canada.

Associated links

Contacts

Lisa Leuty
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Saskatchewan South Field Unit
306-975-6805
lisa.leuty@pc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

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