A new 30-site backcountry campground is being built at Elfin Lakes as part of a $600,000 infrastructure investment in Garibaldi Provincial Park by BC Parks.
Along with the campground, the money will go into building toilet facilities, a picnic shelter, improve the access road and an upgrade of ranger stations.
This is part of a $13.98 million capital budget announced by BC Parks for 2012-2013, for 120 projects in 89 parks. The investment in Garibaldi Provincial Park is part of $2.38 million being spent in the South Coast Region, which includes the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast.
Overall, the capital budget fund for BC Parks has increased by 27 per cent over last year, or by $3 million, BC Parks said in a release.
A major priority for capital projects, the release continued, was "directed at attracting young families, offering new recreation opportunities, improving accessibility and increasing attendance."
Almost 20 million people visit British Columbia's provincial parks every year.
"We want to encourage even more people to get out and enjoy B.C.'s spectacular parks," said environment minister Terry Lake.
"These improvements will keep the regular visitors coming back and encourage other, more diverse groups to visit in the future."
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