How Elk Island National Park is dealing with an influx of visitors this summer

Staff at Elk Island National Park, just east of Edmonton, are bracing for another bustling summer, especially after the federal government introduced the Canada Strong pass.

The pass, which launched last month and ends Sept. 2, includes free admission for all visitors to national historic sites, parks and marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada. It also includes a 25 per cent discount on camping fees.

Elk Island saw a lot of visitors this spring, but even more people have been entering the park since the Canada Strong Pass was introduced, said park superintendent Dale Kirkland. So finding a balance between safety and enjoyment of the park is paramount. 

"It's been great that this free entry has enabled people to ease access into Elk Island and connect with the wonderful nature here," Kirkland told CBC News Saturday. 

"But at the same time, we're seeing even a stronger increase in visitation, which we're having to manage."

A busy season last year led to some collisions that killed several bison.

The park is reporting increased visitation during the evening and nighttime, bringing an increased risk of wildlife collisions and mortality, Kirkland said.

To better mitigate those issues, park staff is proactively closing the gate to the park in the evenings, and limiting the number of vehicles allowed inside at one time.

Despite the restrictions, staff and visitors said the park is busy as ever.

WATCH | How Edmonton's nearest national park is handling summer:

How will Elk Island National Park handle a potentially busy summer?

15 hours ago

Duration 2:33

Elk Island National Park, just east of Edmonton, is coming off a busy year, that included a few incidents involving bison. They have since been shifting rules to accommodate for Parks Canada's free national park pass. CBC's Tristan Mottershead reports on how the park plans to handle the stress.

Oleksander Koshchieiev, a park visitor, said a line to get in had already formed when he arrived at 10:30 a.m. MT Saturday.

"It [will] encourage people to travel locally more … People like to travel somewhere to Costco, or maybe to West Edmonton Mall, [which] is really strange when we have such a beautiful park here," said Koshchieiev, who visits Elk Island every two months.

"Why not spend your weekend during such good weather outside?"

Kirkland said park staff are encouraging locals and tourists to try to experience the park during weekdays, as it fills up fast during weekends.