Parks Canada is reaching out to the public early in the process of developing a plan for the Lake Minnewanka Area, one of the most popular destinations of Cochrane area residents in Banff National Park.
The public consultation has been launched in advance of preparing a draft plan and remains open until Oct. 25.
Parks Canada is first focusing on gathering information, identifying priorities, and scoping out what people really want to see the area become. The end result will essential be a road map to a sustainable path forward.
"This is a critical planning process for us because not only was it a commitment that we've made in the most recent park management plan, which guides everything that we do in that, but we know it's really important because of both the visitation that the Lake Minnewanka area sees, but also because it's such an important place for wildlife," explains Natalie Fay, external relations manager for Banff National Park.
"What we need to do is find a way to balance ecological needs while also making sure that Canadians have opportunities to make connections and just enjoy this truly special place."
The Lake Minnewanka area is the first major destination you encounter when travelling west from the east gate into Banff National Park along the Trans Canada Highway 1.
It includes some of the most popular spots and most accessible destinations in Banff. Visitors commonly used Cascade Ponds for picnics and family gatherings, there's Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka itself, and the upper and lower bank head areas, which are popular for hiking.
"It also includes some of the park's largest campgrounds, like Two Jack Main or Two Jack Lakeside and Lake Minnewanka, so very popular area of the park, very accessible and some breathtaking landscapes that people, whether it be visitors, locals, regional visitors from Cochrane and Calgary, always spend a lot of time there," says Fay.
Fay encourages people to visit www.letstalkmountainparks.ca/lake-minnewanka. There, you can learn more about the area and provide feedback.
"So, things like do you like, do you want to see mountain biking? Are trails kind of what you like to use? Do you use the area for picnicking? What do you want to see, and also, what do people maybe want to see less of in the area as well because the whole point is to get this feedback, make sure it's included in our draft plan because once the plan is final, that's what's going to lead or guide Parks Canada's decision into the future."
Input from Indigenous Peoples, key stakeholders, as well as an environmental study will also inform the draft plan.
Once a draft plan is completed, they'll be an additional round of public engagement.
The plan is expected to be finalized in 2026.
Feedback can be provided online at www.letstalkmountainparks.ca/lake-minnewanka. Feedback and questions can also be emailed to opinion@pc.gc.ca.
