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People flocking to Pike Lake Provincial Park as the spring weather warms is usually a welcome sight, but that’s not the case this year.
Residents in the area have begun noticing plenty of traffic during the few warm days the area has seen so far this month.
That’s prompted some concern from residents at the provincial park.
“Pike Lake is actually like an urban park to Saskatoon,” Glenn Thomson, the president of the Pike Lake Cottage and Watershed Association, said. “Once the weather warmed up we found a lot more traffic, and a lot more people walking just to get away from the city, I guess.”
There are no bathrooms or facilities for public use since the ministry of parks, culture and sport closed facilities at all provincial parks, but access to the parks remains open — and that’s creating both vehicle and foot traffic.
Thomson likes the amount of people he’s seeing in the area for now, but he fears large crowds could create large problems once the weather gets back to its seasonal norms.
“If we get too many people down here, I think it will (be a problem),” Thomson said, adding that safety is becoming an issue along roadways with fast-moving traffic zooming by pedestrians.
“Which is fine, as long as they keep their distance and respect the park.”
The province is keeping a close eye on the prospect of increased traffic at provincial parks, but isn’t going as far as shutting down access just yet.
“The health and safety of our Saskatchewan residents, park users and employees is the priority,” a statement from the ministry of parks, culture and sport said. “We will continue to monitor the situation as the weather improves and take further action if required.”
For now, the ministry said it is following the advice of public health officials in the province to limit the spread of COVID-19.
There’s also the idea of a virtual trip to Saskatchewan’s outdoors. Saskatchewan’s provincial parks’ Facebook page is encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors by camping from home by setting up a tent in your living room, building your own set of binoculars or learning different ways to build a fire.
Garbage cast aside is beginning to show already with coffee cups, masks and rubber gloves being found along the side of the road. What really concerns Thomson the most is the possibility of the summer party crowds.
With nearby Paradise Beach — a popular destination for summer gatherings — closed for the time being, Thomson fears people in Saskatoon looking for a temporary escape could choose Pike Lake instead.
“There’s some concern by people that live down here about partying on weekends,” Thomson said. “That’s a big party spot, so we’re hoping that it doesn’t move down here.”
