Campers have once again set up their tents in Golden Ears Provincial Park after damage done by an atmospheric river event in October closed the campgrounds and cut off the park to traffic.
On Friday, March 28, visitors were already able to camp at Gold Creek campground.
The Ministry of Environment and Parks confirmed there is now full access as far as South Beach, although there is one section with single, alternating traffic, allowing access to the northern portions of the park including campgrounds and all parking lots.
"BC Parks has been focused our efforts on the reestablishment of road access as our priority. We anticipate full two-lane vehicle access restored throughout the park by early May," said David Karn, a spokesperson for the ministry.
Alouette and North Beach campgrounds will open on Wednesday, April 16.
Reservations are now being accepted for all three campgrounds for the upcoming camping season on a four month rolling window.
Tamara Davidson, the Environment and Parks Minister, along with Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA and Minister of Education and Childcare Lisa Beare, Maple Ridge City Councilor Onyeka Dozie, and other notable dignitaries toured the repairs on Friday, March 28.
"I want to thank the skilled workers who tackled the complex technical challenges to restore road access and infrastructure at one of BC's most beloved provincial parks," said Beare following the tour.
Last years flooding caused significant damage to many areas of the park, including the trails and to several sections of the Golden Ears Parkway, the main road into the park, which is used to access all three campgrounds.
Maple Ridge resident Tom Fancsy posted online that the park is in "desperate" need of trail maintenance.
"With the huge demand of Vancouver and increasing visitors, the volunteer force maintaining trails is just not enough, especially as many of the trails were built upon the old logging roads. Is there plans to improve the trail network before we have another major washout," Fancsy asked Minister Beare.
The ministry noted they are now continuing with their plan for long-term repairs.
"Now that the road has been made available to the public again, we are continuing to plan for our longer-term repairs, including necessary repairs of impacted trails in Golden Ears Park. Where possible, the impacted portions of the trail will be repaired in a manner that makes them less susceptible to impacts from severe weather events," said Karn.
To make a reservation go to: https://bcparks.ca/golden-ears-park/.
