Strathcona Park Institute Offering Weekend Programs

Weekend visitors to Strathcona will again have the option of taking a guided walk around Paradise Meadows with a Strathcona Park Institute interpretive guide, or let their children take part in some of the new activities planned for the summer.

INFO HUT: An Interpreter will manage the Info Hut at the new visitors parking area. The Info Hut is full of fascinating natural history objects that the kids will love and the volunteers there can update you on trail conditions and hiking destinations. The hut is open from 10–5pm Friday, Sat, Sunday and holiday Mondays, July 1st - September 6th.

Kids: Every Saturday at 10:00am throughout the summer kids can enjoy Paradise Meadows through a children’s nature program. The program encourages children to learn about the natural world, helping them discover the plants and animals around them and developing their naturalist skills. Suitable for children ages 5 -12, 2 hour duration.

GUIDED WALK: For adults and families, a 90 minute walk of Paradise Meadows trail led by Interpreter and local expert volunteers. Saturdays: 1:00 pm

Guest Walk: For adults and families a 90 min to 2 hour walk or lecture presented by a Guest expert on a variety of topics (TBA). Sundays at 1:00pm.

All walks and programs are to be conducted in Paradise Meadows and will begin at the Information Hut. Look for the event schedules at the Visitors Info-hut, the Raven Lodge or the local newspapers. Anyone interested in learning more about the natural world and Strathcona Park is welcome. To help the Institute’s operational costs, a donation of $2.00 per person ($5.00 per family) is suggested for these popular programs.

For visitors wishing to enjoy the local flowers and shrubs in the meadows at their own leisure, the Institute volunteers will have plant markers in place at various locations on the small loop walkway. The Institute has produced a small brochure that will also be available at the Info-hut to help those wishing to take a self-guided plant identification walk.
The Institute is again continuing the weekend information service at Buttle Lake (200 yards past the Gold River turn-off). Look for the sign before crossing the Buttle Lake bridge. This is a voluntary service, thanks again to Gerry Roberts. Beginning June 25th, hours of operation will be: Fridays: 3-9 pm (or dusk), Saturdays: 10-6 pm, Sundays: 10-4 pm. This service ends September 6th. Volunteers are always welcome to help at either of the Info-huts. Obviously a good knowledge of Strathcona Park and its trails is essential.

As a non-profit society, the Institute’s mandate is to continue to facilitate a co-operative effort to assure support for continuing education, information and park stewardship. In order to keep the organization running,they are always in need of directors and supporters. Their vision and present goal is to eventually create, with community partners, a Visitors Information and Park Interpretive Centre.

If you are interested in supporting the goals of the SWI, in any way, phone and leave a message at: 250-337-1871 or e-mail: swi@island.net. The Institute website is: www.strathconapark.org.