By Greg Higgins

Alcohol ban in effect for provincial parks this weekend

May 19, 2017 | 2:08 PM

The May long weekend is the first big one for campsites but if campers plan to sit around the fire and drink beers they better do some research into what grounds they are going to.

All provincial parks in Saskatchewan have a strict alcohol ban over the May 24 weekend. According to the manager of the Battlefords Provincial Park, Jackie Starling, the rule has been in place for this specific weekend for some time now.

“We have had a lot of problems in the past,” Starling said. “It turns into the pre-grad parties so the alcohol ban was brought in and it has been successful. We have cut down on any of the problems we’ve had in the parks, like vandalism or any dangerous activities that happened. That was the main reason it was done and it has been successful.”

Starling said this is the only time of the year the ban is in effect because there are no other problems. She added there is still a lot to do to have a great long weekend without consuming alcohol. According to the park manager, all the facilities will be available with the exception of boat rentals.

“Fishing season is open and our boat docks are in so people can try their luck fishing,” Starling said. “Our water samples have all come back good so we have no precautionary water advisories [on drinking water].”

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Starling added the water might be a bit cold for swimming but anyone who wishes to live on the wild side can take a dip. There are no big events planned for the weekend, but visitors can plan to return for Canada’s 150th for free park entry on July 1 and 15.

If consuming alcohol is in campers’ plans, the ban applies only to provincial parks. Other locations like the David Laird Campground in Battleford will allow alcohol. Program coordinator at the campground, Amanda Roy, said there are still some stipulations locals must follow.

“If people want to drink on [the] campground they have to stay within their site,” Roy said. “It usually doesn’t get too rowdy but we do have peace officers patrol the grounds so we can usually count on them.”

According to both Starling and Roy, there is still space at each campground and anyone interested can either reserve a spot or attend the campground.

Greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @realgreghiggins.