With Family Day fast approaching, many residents will be looking to head to both provincial and national parks, but it's important to remember that there may be pathway closures.

Kananaskis Country

  • Until further notice, the Central Corridor Pathway, Fish Creek Provincial Park will have tree removal conducted in the area, which means there may be pathway closures.

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"Arborist work, which will include hazardous tree removal and pruning in an ecologically sustainable manner, will be occurring along the 19-kilometer Central Corridor Pathway in Fish Creek Provincial Park. Short-term delays to pathway users are expected as crews undertake tree removal and pruning," Alberta Parks officials stated.

Flaggers will be in place to ensure that public safety is upheld. Delays will not exceed more than 15 minutes to a specific area while overhead work is occurring.

"We recognize delays are inconvenient, but they are necessary for public safety, and to support renovation of the Central Corridor Pathway in 2024. Please follow all signage and do not cross construction barriers. Portions of the Central Corridor Pathway known as the Rotary-Mattamy Greenway and Trans Canada Trail may experience short-term delays during this work."

Facilities and services in Fish Creek Provincial Park will not be impacted. Visitors looking for pathway alternatives can call the Alberta Parks Information Line at 1-877-537-2757 or stop by the Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre.

  • The Narrows, located in Glenbow Provincial Park are closed until further notice.

"The river has flooded and ice jammed over the trail in the Narrows so that section of trail is now closed. It'll likely be closed until spring, depending on the weather."

  • The Blackshale Suspension Bridge in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park also remains closed, which encompasses the High Rockies Trail suspension bridge over Blackshale Creek. According to Alberta Parks officials, the closure is due to the depth of snow, which affects the handrail height, along with the weight of the snow. The closure is a design requirement.
  • Another closure in Peter Lougheed Park due to a denning grizzly bear is in the vicinity of the areas surrounding Rawson Lake, and Sarrail Ridge Trails.

"Rawson Lake trail and Upper Kananaskis Lake trail remain open. The public must stay on the designated trail."

  • The Canmore Nordic Centre is reporting icy conditions, due to the current thaw/freeze cycle in Canmore. Those travelling there are reminded that the parking lots and sidewalks throughout Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park are extremely icy. Travellers are reminded to move with caution and drive slowly, especially when approaching intersections and downhills. 

Banff National Park 

On Monday National Parks officials shared on social media that there was an area closure for the areas of Castle Mountain Lookout and Silverton Falls including Rockbound Lake.

"Parks Canada is asking park visitors to please avoid these areas, and respect closures in place to ensure the safety of the public and Parks Canada team members working in the area," the Facebook post stated.

Though it was not immediately clear why the area was closed off, there were reports that an individual had sustained minor injuries after being attacked by a cougar.

National Parks officials alerted travellers that there were closures in Banff National Park on Monday. (Graphic credit to Parks Canada)National Parks officials alerted travellers that there were closures in Banff National Park on Monday. (Graphic credit to Parks Canada)

Avalanche Canada is reporting that within Banff National Park, the next several days there is a moderate risk of avalanches. On Monday, there were no new natural avalanches were reported.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is predicting that Airdrie will see a pleasant long weekend, with temperatures peaking on Saturday during the day at three degrees Celsius. Banff and other areas will be slightly cooler at minus one on Saturday.

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