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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Parks in and around Yellowknife saw significant increases in use this summer compared to last year, according to Tracy St. Denis, regional superintendent for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Scott Wright preps his boat at Prelude Lake in May 2008. In 2011, Yellowknife parks saw significant increases in usage over 2010. - NNSL file photo

Fred Henne Territorial Park experienced an approximately 12 per cent increase in camp visits Prelude Lake saw a 20 per cent increase and Reid Lake saw an increase of 50 per cent, Dennis said. She also said there was increased interest in wayside parks such as the Yellowknife River, though their usage statistics are not monitored. The increases continue a trend she said she's been seeing for years.

"We actually saw an increase in users through our reservation system, and through people coming up to the gates," said St. Dennis. "Overall, it was a really good summer."

St. Dennis a main reason for the increases was mainly due to the good weather.

"Our campgrounds were full on the weekends," she said.

As for Prelude and Reid, which are starting to see more people use them, she points to a couple things in addition to the nice weather, such as the Prelude Lake Nature Trail as a possible reason for the campground's increase in use.

"We created a new loop with camping sites on it at Reid," said St. Denis.

"I think we're seeing families getting back into camping. People who camped as children are now taking their children camping," she said.

St. Dennis said it is a challenge to do a head-count on how many people went camping, because usually people rent one camp site for multiple people.

While the summer weather was nice, at some points it was a little too nice.

"I just wanted to remind everybody that we had a very early high-fire season and we ended up having a 'no open fire' policy during the summer because we had a very hot, dry summer," said St. Denis.

"Our campers were great. The people who were using our parks were compliant and we really appreciated that," she said.

St. Denis said improvements she would like to see for next year's camping season includes more people keeping their dogs on leashes and cleaning up after them and a stop to people using trash facilities at wayside parks to dispose of personal garbage, something she says the department is investigating.

"This winter, we are going to be taking some time to review our parks operations to see what further improvements we can make for the future so that people can continue to enjoy our beautiful parks," said St. Denis.

Other developments will include an upgrade to Fred Henne public change rooms near the beach and a new washroom at the location as well.

"Henne is heavily used, so what we've done is we've increased the amenities there.

"We've installed a disability ramp ... so it's easier to access, and we have security lockers," said St. Denis, adding that next year people will notice new RV dump system for waste and another kiosk to allow more visitors in at once over weekends.

Fred Henne park saw approximately 9,500 visitors for the 2010/11 season, Prelude Lake had nearly 3,000 visits and Reid Lake had nearly 2,500.

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