Provincial parks waive gate fees for National Trails Day

BY YOUR SOUTHWEST MEDIA GROUP

Staff are opening the gates to provincial parks on Saturday to celebrate National Trails Day.

“Spending time in nature and being active is something important we can do for ourselves and our overall health and well-being,” Alana Ross, the province’s parks, culture and sport minister, said in a statement.

The day represents “a great opportunity to ex- plore trails across the province before the summer season begins,” the statement added.

Special trail-related events at 15 parks include the feathered friends hike at Pike Lake Provincial Park, a blooming cacti hike at Douglas, “take on the trails” with Prairie Sky Running Company at Sas- katchewan Landing and “life in the lodgepoles” at Cypress Hills.

Douglas and Saskatchewan Landing are also of- fering mindfulness walks with coffee, starting at 2 p.m.

“Join us for some coffee and spend time taking in the beauty of nature around you,” messages say. “Engage your senses, observe and reflect as you deepen your connection with nature.”