They call it St. Albert’s hidden jewel for a reason. Overlooking the wetlands of Big Lake, Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park has long been a destination spot for conservationists and bird watchers alike. Unfortunately when it comes to the greater population, too many see it only from the car window while driving past on the daily commute, a situation long overdue for change.
The province created Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park five years ago to honour the late lieutenant-governor, long-time St. Albert resident, school trustee and co-founder of Hole’s Greenhouses & Gardens. This week the province added to Hole’s legacy by expanding the park boundaries to include some 1,800 hectares, roughly the size of Morinville and Gibbons combined. It’s a fitting tribute to a woman who was a passionate advocate for education and the type of learning that will be possible by exploring the diverse ecosystems around Big Lake.
The expansion will help realize plans to open up Big Lake by creating the John Poole interpretive wetland trail, the first development in the provincial park. When complete it will feature interpretive signs and sampling stations to teach students about the wetland ecosystem.
Getting to the interpretive trail is another matter, given there is no entrance or parking access to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park. Construction activity at the nearby Riel Recreation Park has closed the nearest parking area at the Big Lake Environment Support Society (BLESS) shelter. That forces visitors to park somewhere in the Riel Business Park and walk over, a prospect that involves a dash across well-travelled commuter road Ray Gibbon Drive. It’s a similar story along the length of the lakeshore where access in and out is limited.
If the provincial park is to do justice to the example and reputation of its namesake, the province must take action to improve access. Serious consideration should be given to creating a parking area within walking distance from the interpretive centre at the southeast corner of the park. A pedestrian walkway from Riel Park is another option that has been discussed but barely inched forward since the park’s creation. The city has pegged the pedway at $3.5 million, but hasn’t found the money to complete the project in the identified 2011/12 timeline.
Improving park access should be a joint effort of both levels of government, which could do well to embrace Hole’s co-operative spirit and pursue a formal partnership. As owner of the park, the province has a responsibility to ensure the area is not only protected but can be enjoyed by all Albertans. The city could use the opportunity to boost the area’s profile as an attraction for future residents and visitors and further honour one of St. Albert’s most famous citizens. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take another five years before that vision is realized.
