Draft Yukon parks strategy open for comment

Press Release

The Government of Yukon wants your input on a draft strategy for Yukon parks.

The draft strategy outlines ways communities across Yukon can experience the benefits of parks, which include healthy land, healthy people, and a healthy economy. It lays out strategic actions under eight priorities from 2020 to 2030 that aim to sustainably deliver the environmental, economic, social, and health benefits of parks and campgrounds to users today and for the future.

Yukoners are encouraged to review the draft strategy and complete the public survey at EngageYukon.ca. Feedback is being received until September 29, 2019.

A parks strategy will provide guidance on how parks and campgrounds can contribute to building healthy, vibrant, sustainable communities across the Yukon. I encourage everyone to read the draft strategy and provide feedback.

Minister of Environment Pauline Frost

Quick facts

• The draft strategy was developed from comments, feedback and information received from the public engagement conducted in April to September 2018 asking people about the future of Yukon’s system of parks and campgrounds.
• There are eight priorities the draft strategy proposes for the period from 2020 to 2030:
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1. Keep doing what’s working
2. Develop a parks system plan
3. Operationalize emerging parks
4. Enrich and diversify park experiences
5. Ensure protection
6. Advance reconciliation
7. Modernize regulations
8. Financially sustain our parks

• Yukon’s system of territorial parks includes wilderness parks, campgrounds, recreation sites, and others.
• The Yukon government maintains 42 campgrounds with more than 1,000 campsites, 12 recreation sites, and six larger wilderness parks like Tombstone.
• The use of territorial parks has more than doubled in the past decade. Use of campgrounds increased 103% and backcountry camping in Tombstone territorial park increased 137%.

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