Majority of local provincial parks in Squamish are closed, but that didn’t stop people from visiting them this past weekend.
There were many people violating closures at parks and recreation sites in town, said Sgt. Sascha Banks of Squamish RCMP.
Police and Conservation Officer Service worked together to enforce the closures in Squamish, she said.
Sgt. Banks is reminding people that many provincial parks in Squamish remain closed to the public for now.
“The provincial parks and provincial recreation sites remain closed to the public and if you are found in those areas you may face fines and asked to leave,” she said.
Banks said the enforcement and education will continue until the parks reopen and there wasn’t a need for social distancing.
Meanwhile, Conservation Officer Service also said it evicted many people from Squamish recreation sites. “Despite the nice weather, these sites are still closed,” the service said.
Last week, the province announced some provincial parks in BC will open on May 14.
Locally, Alice Lake Provincial Park and Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park are the only two local provincial parks that will open for day use on May 14.
However, Stawamus Chief, Shannon Falls, Garibaldi Park and Murrin Park will remain closed for now.
“Parks that attract large crowds will remain closed until it is safe to reopen at a later date. Backcountry campgrounds in some parks with high day use will also remain closed,” BC Parks said.
Yesterday, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation said it won’t be reopening parking lots at beaches and parks in the coming days as a result of a decrease in public compliance with physical distancing.
