000* were allocated for individual projects in 102 parks 

 and park reserves. Development was focused on upgrading 

 existing parks and improving sanitation facilities and water 

 supplies in parks already in operation. Access roads to 

 many park areas were improved. Wherever possible, these 

 projects were tied in with current highway improvements. 

 *Ot this amount, $1,200,000 was earmarked lor ARDA participation 

 parks with $600,000 returnable to Treasury Irom Federal funds. 



PARK MANAGEMENT 



Ninety-six Provincial Parks were in operation during the 

 1968 parks season. Wakami Lake and Missinaibi Lake in the 

 Chapleau district, and Polar Bear Park in the Cochrane 

 district, were operated as Provincial Parks for the first time, 

 while Clay Creek, in the Lake Erie district, was deleted 

 from the Provincial Park system and turned over to the local 

 conservation authority for operation. 



Polar Bear Park, located on the shores of Hudson and 

 James Bays, was established as the Province's first primitive 

 class park. The addition of Polar Bear, with its four million 

 acres, literally doubled the area of land contained within 

 the Provincial Parks system. As it is a primitive park, there 

 will be little, if any, development taking place in the area. 

 This park is a major addition to the Provincial Park system 

 and should contribute a good deal towards the preserva- 

 tion of a representative, and yet unique, segment of our 

 Arctic tundra for the enjoyment, education and study of 

 present and future generations. 



There was a decline in park use even though there were 

 two additional parks in operation. Below-average weather, 

 the loss of the Expo 67 travel stimulus, and revised user fees 

 were all felt to contribute to this decline. Day use visitation 

 at 9,440,211 was down seven per cent from the 1967 atten- 

 dance figure, while the 1,119,912 campers represented a 

 three per cent decline. 



CHANGES IN FEES 



An increase in user fees was implemented prior to the 

 1968 park operating season. Daily vehicle entry permits 

 remained unchanged at $1.00. Annual vehicle entry permits, 

 however, were increased from $5.00 to $10.00 per year. The 

 camping rate of $1.50 per night (or $9.00 per week), plus 

 vehicle entry, was changed to a flat rate of $2.50 per night. 

 With this change in the camping fee, the daily and annual 

 vehicle entry permits were no longer of value for camping. 



A new camping permit system, designed for self registra- 

 tion, was introduced in 1968. Unfortunately, this system 

 did not work satisfactorily and will be revised. 



Beach area. Arrowhead Provincial Park. 



An interior camping permit was introduced in Algonquin 

 and Quetico Provincial Parks. The fee for interior camping 

 was $1.00 per boat, per day, or $5.00 for a 16-day period. 

 These fees were introduced in an attempt to balance the 

 high maintenance costs that were being encountered in 

 removing garbage and litter from campsites and portages in 

 the interior of these parks. In addition, the interior permit 

 gave parks staff an opportunity to determine exactly the 

 numbers of persons using the interior of the parks and what 

 areas were being subjected to the greatest pressures. An 

 education program was also begun to emphasize the public 

 need to carry out garbage. 



INTERPRETIVE SERVICES 



Park interpretive services (designed to promote an under- 

 standing and appreciation of Provincial Parks) were present 

 in 23 parks in 1968. Museums, exhibits, publications, labelled 

 trails and personal services such as conducted trips, illus- 

 trated talks, and special group programs are the basic 

 techniques in these services. 



Notable program additions in 1968 were the installation 

 of an audio-visual program about Algonquin Park in the 

 Algonquin Park Visitor Centre, the opening of a naturalist's 

 headquarters and display area in Pinery Park, and opening of 

 a new exhibit centre at Serpent Mounds Park. 



Services were expanded through the addition of natural- 

 ists to District Offices at Cochrane, Tweed and Maple and 

 an assistant for the program in Algonquin Park. 



In the area of research, programs were initiated to docu- 

 ment (1) the history of the Sibbald family and their home 



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