Free admission to Parks Canada sites on Parks Day
Sault Canal, photo courtesy Parks Canada
Discover the Parks side of Canada’s national historic sites!
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Saturday, July 16 is Parks Day and that means free admission to all Parks Canada sites. Visit the Sault Ste. Marie Canal and Fort St. Joseph National Historic Sites for a day of adventure and celebrate the “Parks side” of these special historic places!
The Sault Canal will be kicking off Parks Canada’s new Xplorers program with exploration activities for children 6 to 11 years old and their families. Are your children curious and active? Are they artists, dreamers, budding naturalists or journalists? If so, then Parks Canada’s Xplorers program is for them! Participants receive an Xplorers program booklet filled with fun activities that will guide their discovery of the Canal. When they complete the activities they will be recognized as an official Xplorer with a certificate and a special souvenir! Guided site tours are being offered at 10 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. And remember, no program fees apply on this day
Also happening on July 16 is the Bio-Blitz, a unique celebration of art and biodiversity inspired by iconic Canadian artist and naturalist Robert Bateman! Feeling disconnected from nature? Want to rediscover the wild side of the forest? This event is a short, intense team effort to discover as many different life forms as possible at the Sault Canal and Fort St. Joseph. Youth of all ages are invited to join site staff and take part in unique activities: discover how to identify plants, trees and birds, find your own way through various trail systems and take notice of the signs of life all around you! Channel your creativity while discovering the “Parks side” of these national historic sites! Bio-Blitz activities are being run by a Parks Canada guide at 10 am and 1 pm at both sites.
For more information on these Parks Day activities, please contact the Sault Ste. Marie Canal at (705) 941-6205 and Fort St. Joseph at (705) 246-2664.
Established in 1911 as the Dominion Parks Branch, Parks Canada is the world’s oldest national parks service, and a world leader in protecting and presenting treasured national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Parks Canada turns 100 in 2011 – come celebrate!
