Tourism PEI Minister, Greg Deighan, today reminded the public that the Provincial Parks system is under review, with the mandate to determine the primary role of the system and explore the potential of a new direction. Recent advertisements in all Island newspapers requested recommendations from both public and private sectors regarding submissions to a Steering Committee dealing with the issue.
"We are re-evaluating our entire Provincially-run Parks system," noted Minister Deighan. "The mandate needs to be clarified. Is the primary role of Parks of a tourism, conservation, recreation, or community development focus? We obviously have limited dollars for the Parks system, and we want to make sure that we use those dollars in the most efficient manner - that is the purpose behind the process."
The Steering Committee has commissioned Enterprise Management Consultants to carry out the study, and submissions to make a presentation to the Committee can be made through the consultant group by phone, e-mail, written document or in person. Enterprise Management Consultants can be contacted by phone at 566-1701.
"We have a lot of parks across our Province," added Minister Deighan. "With 15 day-use parks, 13 campgrounds, Brookvale Ski Park, Mill River Nordic Trails and Clinton Lookout Park and the addition of management, marketing and programming of the Confederation Trail, it is a very complex system. We want to better focus the programming, marketing and staffing efforts through this review process."
"We want the Parks to reflect the needs of communities across our Island," noted Minister Deighan. "And we want the parks to be of a high enough quality that all Islanders can be proud. Hopefully participation in the review will be strong, and we will garner some clear direction as a result."