New facilities and Day Use Area to Help Boost Tourism

Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, September 13, 2013 -- The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada today announced the opening of new visitor facilities as well as a recent land acquisition in the East Block of Grasslands National Park of Canada.

“This project marks the first significant visitor facilities within the East Block of Grasslands National Park and will help visitors connect to the natural and cultural diversity of the Park,” said David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands. “The project will enhance the visitor experience at the Park and strengthen Grasslands National Park’s position as a tourism destination in Saskatchewan.”

The project, with a total cost of approximately $325,000 was funded in part through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The East Block of Grasslands National Park is one of the richest resources for dinosaur fossils in Canada and is one of a handful of places around the world that reveals the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary.

“This investment by our government enhances the visitor experience in Grasslands National Park, contributes to tourism and generates economic benefits for the local community,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Investments such as this, funded in part through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, provide Canadians and visitors with an opportunity to enjoy Canada's treasured places and we are now able to better showcase this natural and cultural prairie heritage.”

Grasslands National Park was established in 1981 with the signing of the Grasslands National Park Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan.

Officially proclaimed a national park in 2001, Grasslands National Park is located in southwest Saskatchewan and comprised of two blocks of land. It is the first national park to preserve a portion of the northern mixed prairie grasslands. Together with the surrounding ranch lands, the 921 sq. km. that lie within its existing boundaries represent one of the finest examples of intact mixed grass prairie habitat in Canada.

Parks Canada recognizes the valuable role that the Government of Saskatchewan has played in the establishment and on-going expansion of the Park.

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future. Through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada sets the stage and invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.

For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.

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Information:
Lisa Leuty
Public Relations & Communications Officer Saskatchewan South Field Unit
Parks Canada
306-975-6805
www.twitter.com/parkscanada_SK

Backgrounder associated with this News Release.

New Facilities and Expansion of the East Block of Grasslands National Park