An Analysis of the need for modern cabin accommodation in British Columbia provincial parks

Currently, needs for the provision of public outdoor recreational facilities are not being fully satisfied by government agencies in British Columbia. Changes in activity patterns and value demands, combined with population and participation rate increases , warrant modifications to some Provincial Parks. Historically, development in such areas has tended to provide facilities for a limited number of activities such as sightseeing, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking and camping. Hence, Provincial Park use has overwhelmingly been confined to summer months, peaking in July and August. But , a modified park design providing cabin accommodation and offering a wider range of activities would add variety to the present Provincial Park system in British Columbia, and would promote year-round park use. Initial research details park development policies and facilities in the Lower Mainland Region of British Columbia. Subsequently, the thesis investigates, mainly by field study in Saskatchewan and a mail questionnaire survey, various aspects of park rental accommodation throughout North America. The results of this investigation are examined for their applicability to the Provincial Parks system in British Columbia. When offered to the public, rental accommodation in parks is much in demand throughout Canada and the Untied States. Controlling Park Agencies almost unanimously con­sider that such accommodation provides a popular and needed alternative to camping, is conducive to family, senior citizen and institutional recreation, and stimulates year­-round park use. It is argued that similar benefits should be made available in British Columbia through the introduction of modern rental cabin accommodation and some urban-type recreation facilities in selected Provincial Parks. Since the majority of British Columbia's population is concen­trated in the Lower Mainland Region, this area should receive development priority. The Daisy Lake area of the Squamish-Lillooet Corridor is suggested as a possible location.

Author dc:creator

• Korpess, Roy Alexander

Statement dc:rights

• Available to the World Wide Web

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1828/18482

OAI record oai:identifier

https://dspace.library.uvic.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Adspace.library.uvic.ca%3A1828%2F18482