Alberta government quietly halts closure of 17 provincial parks due to COVID-19

A view of Two Jack Lake in Banff National Park is shown in an undated handout photo. Parks Canada is preparing for an increase in visitors this year as people across the country and around the world request free annual passes to explore the nation's natural treasures as part of Canada's 150th anniversary celebration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Travel Alberta

EDMONTON – The Alberta government has quietly halted the closure of 17 provincial parks and recreation sites this year because of COVID-19.

The province had initially planned to fully or partially close 20 provincial parks and handoff another 164 to third-party managers.

READ MORE: Provincial parks face changes due to Alberta Budget cuts

But officials quietly updated the COVID-19 response page on the Alberta Parks website.

The site says the province will operate the 17 sites this year because it wants to give Albertans more opportunities to camp and connect with nature over the summer.

Included in the list is Crow Lake Provincial Park in Wood Buffalo.

The province says it’s a temporary measure for this year’s camping season.

The plan to close some sites and hand over others has raised concerns among many, with one online petition getting more than 52,000 signatures.