The Minister of Tourism, Greg Deighan, today announced that Tourism PEI is about to embark on a review of the Provincial Parks for the entire Island. Over the years, the tourism industry on PEI has recognized the value of Provincial Parks and has lobbied the Province to increase services and extend the season for Parks. The review will address many concerns expressed by the people of Prince Edward Island regarding the sustainability and future of the parks system.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued seeking a qualified consultant to conduct this study. As part of the study process, the consultant will be required to seek community input through a consultative process which will allow individuals and interest groups an opportunity to provide input into the future direction of Provincial Parks. "We are very conscious of the importance of the provincial parks and the integral role that they play in communities right across the Island," noted Minister Deighan. "We are very aware that people will want to express their views and, as such, will take every precaution to secure opportunities for Islanders to contribute to the process."
The PEI Provincial Parks system consists of 15 day-use parks, 13 campgrounds, Brookvale Ski Park, Mill River Nordic Trails and Clinton Lookout Park. Within the last few years, Provincial Parks has also taken on responsibility for the management, marketing, and programming of the Confederation Trail.
The RFP will require that the consultants hired will work with a steering committee consisting of tourism professionals. Under the direction of the steering committee, the consultant will undertake a comprehensive review of Provincial Parks with a view to defining its future mandate. The review will also address issues such as: What is the role of communities in the future operations of the Parks system?; How can customer service and program delivery be improved in the Parks system?; What policies should be established to ensure that Provincial Parks is able to fulfil its mandate?; and many other topics.
"As a department, we are pleased with the system that we have in place," said the Minister, "but, at the same time, we recognize that we have to keep pace with the demands of the pubic and respond with the changes that these demands necessitate on our parks and park services. We have no intention to rush this process and plan to take time to explore all the opportunities that are feasible."
Tourism PEI will engage a qualified consultant through the tender process of the MERX system to undertake a comprehensive review of the park system. Anyone interested in viewing the request for proposals can obtain information through the website, www.merx.cebra.com or by calling Chris Jones at the Research, Policy and Planning division of Tourism PEI at (902) 368-6342.