Parks Canada Seeks Ideas on How to Handle Banff Visitation

Parks Canada Seeks Ideas on How to Handle Banff Visitation

November 3, 2020 ctn_admin

Banff is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Canada. It’s also one of the most popular, and that can lead to traffic problems.

Parks Canada has announced that it will create an expert panel to advise them on the development of a long-term framework for the sustainable movement of visitors in the Bow Valley in Banff National Park.

Banff National Park is one of the world’s most iconic protected places, known for its leadership in natural and cultural conservation and for providing exceptional visitor experiences. Parks Canada, together with Indigenous communities, environmental NGOs, business operators and many key stakeholders, has made great strides over the last 30 years in welcoming millions of visitors each year while making significant advancements in protecting the park’s ecological and cultural values.

Key to the long-term success of these ongoing efforts is the ability of people to move around safely and in a sustainable manner. Today’s announcement underscores Parks Canada’s intent to be inclusive and far reaching in framing the public discussion for the long-term framework, based on science, evidence and the perspectives of Canadians.

The panel will be asked to consider transportation modes and networks, as well as other strategies and tools relating to how people access, move about and use the park – including new technologies, infrastructure changes, and systems for communication and access.

The panel will consider ways to ensure that ecological integrity and conservation of habitat and biodiversity are priorities. It will explore and advise on the use of alternative and renewable energy while reducing waste. And it will provide insights on how to provide diverse mobility options to visitors and residents giving people more choices on how they meet their access needs.

Through this initiative, Banff National Park will become a “living laboratory” for integrating smart mobility technologies into the whole visitor experience, testing new ideas, collecting data, and informing research on energy efficient transportation technologies and systems.

When completed, the framework will recognize the unique context of national park exploration and that one approach does not fit all. It will be an example of how big-picture thinking, comprehensive planning and ‘green’ transport can help secure positive visitor experiences and an environmentally and economically sustainable future for the park and areas beyond.

Now more than ever, Canadians are aware of the importance of access to natural and cultural settings, like Banff National Park. The framework will ensure that the ways of getting to and moving about are as much a part of the national park experience and legacy, as its landscapes, and natural and cultural resources.

In the coming months, Parks Canada will engage Indigenous partners, key stakeholders and the public to develop a terms of reference for the expert panel. Parks Canada will seek panel members with expertise in a variety of areas, including protected area management, transportation innovation, technology, and tourism.

“Banff National Park is among the world’s most incredible places to visit. Banff and Lake Louise Tourism is excited about these important next steps – this planning and big picture thinking will help ensure that Banff remains environmentally sustainable while welcoming visitors from around the globe,” said Leslie Bruce, President and CEO, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism.

“As the Town of Banff strives to be a model environmental community, we are thrilled at the prospect of an expert panel to develop leading-edge ideas on green transportation for Banff National Park,” said Karen Sorensen, Mayor of the Town of Banff. “We consider transportation of people to Banff and throughout Canada’s first national park as the ‘missing link’ to making this special place a truly sustainable community and park.”