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Prince Albert National Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Prince Albert National Park | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
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| Location | Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Nearest city | Prince Albert |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 3,874 km² |
| Established | March 24, 1927 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Prince Albert National Park[1] covers 3,874 km² (1,496 mi²) in central Saskatchewan, Canada and is located 200 kilometres (120 miles) north of Saskatoon. Though declared a national park March 24, 1927, it had its official opening ceremeonies on August 10, 1928 performed by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. [2] The park is open all year but the most visited period is from May to September. Although named for the city, the park's main entrance is actually 80 km (50 mi) north of Prince Albert via Highways 2 and 264. The park ranges in elevation from 488 metres (1,600') on the western side to 724 metres (2,375') on the eastern side.
Waskesiu[3] is the only town within the park, located on the southern shore of Waskesiu Lake. Most facilities and services one would expect to find in a multi-use park are available, such as souvenir shops, small grocery stores, gas station, laundromat, restaurants, hotels and motels, rental cabins, a small movie theatre (which adds showings on rainy and cold days), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment, camp grounds, many beaches, picnic areas, tennis courts and lawn bowling greens. The facilities and services combine recreational and nature experiences. Notably, the park contains the Waskesiu Golf Course[4] designed by famed golf course architect Stanley Thompson who also designed the course in Banff National Park.
The park also contains the cabin of naturalist and conservationist Grey Owl, on Ajawaan Lake.
Until the establishment of Grasslands National Park in the 1980s, this was the province's only national park.
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Prince Albert National Park is one of many national parks which are part of the Panel on Ecological Integrity Program. [5] In order to sustain the ecological integrity, and healthy lakes and waterways healthy the economic factors of park visitation such as roads, pollution, fire suppression, over-fishing are evaluated. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society monitors decisions made on issues such as the spruce budworm outbreak and whether to spray with pesticides.[6]
The boreal forest is north of the tree line, which is where the Prince Albert National Park is situated at the south end. It extends northerly into the Canadian Shield area. There are many lakes and rivers creating wonderful water systems for a variety of waterfowl.
Prince Albert Park is home to the only Canadian protected site for white pelicans and their nesting grounds on Lavallee Lake. Access to Lavallee Lake is strictly controlled. Some of the many animals are elk (wapiti), moose, black bear, fox, moose, beaver, deer, badger beaver, otter, squirrels, wolf. A herd of plains bison roams in the southern areas of the park where grasslands and woodlands mix. Flycatchers, Tennessee warblers, double-crested cormorants, red-necked grebes, brown creepers, nuthatches, three-toed woodpeckers, bald eagle, osprey, great blue herons, many species of ducks, and the common loon are just a few of the water fowl and birds which make their home in the park. There are 21 species of fish recorded in the park, including Iowa darter, yellow perch, brook stickleback, spottail shiner, cisco, northern pike (locally called "jack fish"), walleye (locally called "pickeral", and lake trout.[7]
There are archaeological traces of pre-history in the park reserve in the form of tools which have been located.
- Early Pre contact (11,000 to 7500 BP [Before Present])
- Middle Pre contact (7500 to 2000 BP)
- Late Pre contact (2000 to 200 BP)
- Post Contact or Historic (200 BP to Present).
The Rocky or Woods Cree would be found using this area during the 1600-1800s.
At Waskesiu Lake was an early Hudson Bay Company fur trade post between 1886 to 1893.
In the early 1900s the industries of fishing and logging were carried out in this boreal forested area. The large 1919 forest fire eliminated the logging industry.[8]
The Dominion Parks Service hired Grey Owl, Archibald Stanfield Belaney (1888-April 13, 1938) as the first naturalist. He lived on Ajawaan Lake in Prince Albert National Park and wrote of wilderness protection: Pilgrims of the Wild (1935), Sajo and the Beaver People (1935) and Empty Cabin (1936).[9]
There are many things to do in this park:
There are a few main roads through the park.
- The Narrows Road along Waskesiu Lake's southern shore, with many points of interest and picnic areas, ending at a 200 metre narrows, where there is a campground.
- Lakeview Drive or Scenic Route #263 which provides access to several other lakes: Namekus, Trappers, Sandy (also called Halkett); as well as many trails.
- Highway 264 to Kingsmere River, which accesses a small boat or canoe launch site mid-way between Kingsmere and Waskesiu lakes, and a trail through a railway portage to Kingsmere Lake.
There are many picnic sites within the park, set up with picnic tables, scenic views, campfire pits and swimming areas.
- Namekus Day
- Sandy Lake
- South Gate
- Meridian Day
- South Bay
- Trippes Beach
- King Island
- Paignton Beach
- The Narrows
- Waskesiu River
- Waskesiu Landing (Main Marina)
- Point View
- Birch Bay
- Heart Lakes
- Kingsmere[10]
These trails are less than 2 kilometers in length. They each have descriptive guided brochures which help to identify the natural sights along the way.
- Boundary Bog Trail
- Mud Creek Trail
- Treebeard Trail
- Waskesiu River Trail
- Kingsmere River Trail
- Amiskowan Trail
- Ice-Push Ridge Trail
- Narrows Peninsula Trail
- Spruce River Highlands Tower Trail
There are longer trails for the backpacker and hiker which vary from 13 kilometers in length and to 54 kilometers (return).
- Kingfisher Trail
- Grey Owl Trail
- Freight Trail
- Kinowa Trail
- Elk Trail
- Fish Trail
- Hunters rail
- Spruce River Highlands Trail
Surrounding Waskesiu Lake there are several beaches to take in swimming during the hot summer months. There are also good beaches at the south end of Kingsmere Lake (boat or trail access), Namekus Lake, and Sandy Lake.
Bagwa Canoe Route and Bladebone Canoe Route are two canoe routes of varying lengths. As well the park offers a multitude of lakes which are amenable to the canoe enthusiast. Amiskowan, Shady, Heart, Kingsmere and Waskesiu lakes are just a few of them.[11]
Power boats are only permitted on some Prince Albert National Park lakes. Motor boats are allowed on Waskesiu, Crean, Kingsmere, Sandy and the Hanging Heart Lakes. There is a limit of 40 horse power motors on Kingsmere. The Waskesui Marina, Heart Lakes Marina and the Narrows have boat launches (permit and fee required) and docks. Boat and canoe rentals are available at all three, by the hour or by the day. The Waskesui Marina has a concrete breakwater. A permit is required to use boat launch facilities. Personal watercraft are not allowed on any lakes. Canoes and sail boats are allowed on all waters.
Just as those who used the waters for commercial fishing in the early 1900s, campers may also find relaxation fishing for Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout, Whitefish, or Yellow Perch. The park requires purchase of its own licences to fish in the park. Limits and seasons are different than in the province of Saskatchewan. Some areas, e.g., spawning grounds, are closed to fishing.[12]
At this park one can choose from serviced or unserviced 'front country' camping or go by canoe/boat and backpacking, and choose 'back country' camping. Most back country camping occurs on Kingsmere and Crean lakes. Permits and fees are required for all camping, whether front or back country. Front country sites can be reserved by website or telephone[13]. Open fires are allowed at campsites, after payment for a "fire permit" (fire permits are not required in picnic areas).
The following are accessible by automobile and can accommodate trailers and motorhomes:
- Beaver Glen Campground on the east margins of the Waskesiu town site has electricity to the sites (no water or septic hook-ups), washrooms with hot and cold water and showers, central septic tank service and drinking water.
- The Narrows Campground has flush toilet washrooms with cold water only, and no other services.
- Namekus, Trappers, Sandy Lakes have septic tank toilets, water source (not drinkable without treatment).
There is a Trailer Court, with full motorhome and trailer hook-ups (no cable TV), to the west of the Beaver Glen Campground in the Waskesui townsite. Open fires are not allowed in the trailer court.
There are a series of boat-accessible campsites - the level of waves that can come up with overnight weather changes on Waskesiu, Kingsmere and Crean lakes, provide some risk for boats that cannot be completely pulled out of the water at night.
The nature centre in the Waskesiu townsite has information about interpretative walks, films, and activities, and will assist in providing park visitors with interpretive programs for their choice of activity, tours and special events. There are evening interpretative programs at Beaver Glen Campground at an outdoor theatre.
Cycling is permitted on roads anywhere and on most trails. The following trails are specifically designated for bicycles[14]
- Anglin Lake Trail - 12 km return
- Freight Trail - 27 km one way
- Elk Trail - 39 km one way
- Fish Lake Trail - 12 km one way
- Hunters Lake Trail - 12 km one way
- Westside Boundary Trail - 37 km one way
- Red Deer Trail - three loops totalling 17 km
- Kinowa Trail - 5 km one way
- Amyot Lake Trail - 15.5 km loop
Bicycle rentals are available in Waskesui townsite.
Flycatchers, Tennessee warblers, red-necked grebe, brown creepers, nuthatches, three-toed woodpeckers, bald eagle, osprey, great blue herons, common loon are just a few of the many bird species to be seen in the park. Elk, black bear, fox, moose, beaver, deer, badger are a sampling of wild life of the park area. [15][16]
Stanley Thompson designed an 18 hole golf course in the park. It was built in the early 1930s. Its official name is the Waskesiu Golf Course, but is often called "The Lobstick" after a tournament it hosts each year.[17]
- Canadian National Parks
- List of Canadian national parks
- List of Saskatchewan parks
- Monarchy in Saskatchewan
- Monarchy in Canada
- ^ Parks Canada website for Prince Albert National Park
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park of Canada Natural Wonders & Cultural Treasures Park Era History, <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/natcul/natcul1_b_E.asp>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Waskesiu Community Council website
- ^ Waskesiu Golf Course, Home of the Lobstick
- ^ CPAWS SK - Prince Albert National Park, <http://www.cpaws-sask.org/boreal_forest/prince_albert-national_park.html>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Saskatchewan Environmental Society — Prince Albert National Park, <http://www.environmentalsociety.ca/issues/forests/panp.html>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park website
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park of Canada Natural Wonders & Cultural Treasures, <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/natcul/natcul1_a_E.asp>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park of Canada Natural Wonders & Cultural Treasures Grey Owl, <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/natcul/natcul1_c_E.asp>
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park of Canada Activities Picnicking & Day Use, <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/activ/activ2_e.asp>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park of Canada Activities Canoeing, <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/activ/activ5_e.asp>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park of Canada Activities Fishing, 2007-03-02, <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/activ/activ7_e.asp>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Camp site reservation contact information
- ^ Bicycle trails
- ^ Parks Canada - Prince Albert National Park of Canada Activities Wildlife & Bird Watching, <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/activ/activ9_E.asp>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Virtual Saskatchewan - Prince Albert National Park, <http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/panp.html>. Retrieved on April 24, 2007
- ^ Waskesiu Golf Course
- Waskesiu.org - Waskesiu Community Association
- Parks Canada. - Prince Albert National Park
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| National Park Reserves | Gulf Islands · Gwaii Haanas · Pacific Rim · Torngat Mountains · Mingan Archipelago · Kluane · Nahanni · Tuktut Nogait | |
| Marine Conservation Areas | Fathom Five · Lake Superior · Saguenay-St. Lawrence | |
| National Landmark | Pingo | |
