Campgrounds like Eiling Kramer back to business as usual since getting back to full capacity in June. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Camping fever

Business steady at campgrounds after restrictions eased

Jul 8, 2020 | 5:44 PM

A week into July, parks and campgrounds are seeing steady numbers of visitors.

Prior to rainfall, the Battlefords Provincial Park filled up quickly for the July long weekend after slowly easing restrictions over the course of the month. Since officially getting back to full capacity of facilities on June 30, Park Manager Angie Carver said things have run smoothly so far, thanks in part to the behaviour of the campers.

“Camping seems to be pretty good. People are staying their distance, at campsites and beaches as well,” she said. “On July 1, we had some crafts available for kids to take them back to their sites, which ended up [being] 100 bags. But it was really good, only one little family would come at a time.”

Numbers are still down slightly compared to the previous year, though they’re expected to jump back to normal this month. That means challenges around social distancing will increase, particularly at beaches and playgrounds.

“We don’t have massive crowds like some of the other parks, because we are out of the city,” Carver said. “But I know with better weather, it’s just going to get busier and busier.”

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If no major obstacles pop up during the next 10 months, events scheduled for this year can take place, and projects to update the park can continue. However, Carver said that depends on the progress of the pandemic remaining steady.

Things have gone smoothly for the Eiling Kramer Campground as well, since they were able to reopen showers and washrooms.

“We’re following strict protocols, sanitizing sites, garbage bins, and playground equipment,” manager Joe Mills said.

Operations are back to normal, aside from extra cleaning when campers leave their site and less personal interaction between staff. Mills said the latter has taken the most getting used to.

“I guess it is what it is, until such time that we can [interact more],” he said.

Recently, they’ve completed work on a new playground that they started on while shut down, along with some renovations on buildings. That progress is balanced by the reality of less revenue, but Mills said any good news is a win.

“We’re not going to have the amount of income we’d normally have,” he said. “We’re just happy to be open.”

And if the rain slows down, the remainder of the summer may prove fruitful, with more families looking to spend time outside.

“July and August are our busy months,” Mills said. “So, you never know what might happen.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports