Parks Canada celebrates successful Canada 150 season in Western Newfoundland

More Canadians than ever before enjoyed amazing experiences at Parks Canada places in 2017

October 24, 2017                           Rocky Harbour, NL                    Parks Canada Agency

National parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas 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.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada offered free admission for all visitors to Parks Canada places, to encourage Canadians to experience their rich history and heritage in a special way. Parks Canada is pleased to have welcomed more visitors to our treasured places than ever before, and to have played an important role in the celebration of Canada 150.

National Historic Sites in Western Newfoundland saw attendance records broken in 2017. Port au Choix National Historic Site saw over 15,000 visitors, an increase of 61% from the previous year, while L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site received more than 36,000 visitors, an increase of 31% from 2016.

This was also an extremely busy year for Gros Morne National Park and the surrounding communities as the region welcomed visitors from all over the world. Local operators benefited from the increased traffic - like the park’s newest partner, Wild Gros Morne, which offered guided tours on Trout River Pond. Parks Canada’s destinations form important cornerstones for Canada’s local, regional, and national tourism industry. The Agency works with partners and nearby communities to help grow local tourism and create jobs.

Parks Canada is committed to developing a system of national heritage places that recognizes the role of Indigenous People in Canada and in the traditional use of these special places. In 2017 Parks Canada signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Qalipu First Nation. This MOU represents an opportunity for the partners to work together in areas of common interest including natural and cultural heritage resource conservation, education and outreach, and public understanding and appreciation. Events and programming celebrating Indigenous peoples occurred throughout Western Newfoundland, including Fire Circles in Gros Morne organized with the support of the Qalipu First Nation, and National Aboriginal Day celebrations at Port au Choix with the Norpen Women’s Drumming Group.

With the busy summer season now behind us, visitor facilities in Gros Morne, Port au Choix, and L’Anse aux Meadows have closed, with the exception of the Gros Morne Visitor Centre in Rocky Harbour which will remain open until October 27, 2017. The Western Newfoundland and Labrador Parks Canada Administration Office in Rocky Harbour is open year-round.

Visitors are reminded that Gros Morne National Park offers exceptional winter experiences as well. The park is home to some of the most beautiful groomed cross-country ski trails in Western Newfoundland. There are also ski and snowshoe routes that will take the adventurous visitor into the backcountry of Gros Morne. Green Point Campground is open year-round and sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. More information on these winter activities can be found on our website.

The Government is committed to preserving our national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas while making them more accessible so that Canadians, including youth and newcomers, can experience the outdoors and learn about our environment. Parks Canada continues to ensure the best possible visitor experience for people coming to our places, and has effectively managed 2017’s increased visitation.

To help visitors plan their experiences, Parks Canada launched a mobile app earlier this season. The app is incredibly popular and, to date, there have been over 150,000 downloads. The Parks Canada Mobile App is a great planning tool which offers up-to-date information and resources to help visitors plan their visit and discover breathtaking locations, including a list of hidden gems, and other unique and memorable experiences at national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas.