Parks Canada just wrapped up the second year of its infrastructure renewal program in Jasper National Park. The construction around the park this summer and fall was part of the largest investment in infrastructure in Parks Canada’s history. This year, the priority was on projects that would get the park ready for visitors coming to Jasper during the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.
Trails:
A lot of work was done to repair the popular front-country easy trails for 2017.
The Lake Annette Loop: Users will now enjoy a wider, smoother paved trail that is wheelchair and stroller-friendly. A new dock was also installed for watersport access and yoga.
Trail 7: The multi-use trail stretching from Old Fort Point to the Moberly Bridge along the Athabasca River was widened and repaired to bring it up to the easy trail standard.
Valley of the Five Lakes:Ìý Trails were repaired, new benches were added and a new dock was put in at the Fifth Lake for paddle-boarding and yoga. The new trailhead is now open and is ready to greet hikers and snowshoers for the winter season. In the spring, park users can look forward to some final touches including new log benches, and three new picnic tables. A brand new two-seater privy will also be installed in the coming weeks. Parks Canada also expanded the parking lot with separate parking spots for RVs and larger vehicles. There will now be space for 83 vehicles and 11 RVs. The public phone and existing trail information kiosk will now be closer to the trailhead. Ìý
Parker Ridge trail: Thanks to the hard work of Parks Canada staff and volunteers from Jasper and Banff, as well as volunteers from the Jasper Trail Alliance, the trail is now much safer and easier to navigate. Day hikers looking for more challenging hikes will appreciate the new signage and eight new wayfinding cairns at Parker Ridge.
Campgrounds:
Whistlers Campground: Jasper’s largest campground will be open in 2017 and camp guests will be able to enjoy a brand new amphitheatre in the centre of the campground. Work is wrapping up on the building and final landscaping work will be finished in the spring.
Dam Safety:
Cabin Lake Dam: This summer and fall, Parks Canada was hard at work to improve dam safety for the townsite. The 40-year old dam at Cabin Lake was brought up to standard. This investment ensures that the dam will continue to provide a back-up water supply for Jasper’s fire-fighting system to ensure the safety of residents and park visitors.
Better/Safer access – Getting Here Just Got Easier:
This summer’s construction work focused on getting the park’s bridges and major highways ready for visitors coming to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in Jasper. At of the end of September, Parks Canada had installed 152 new highway signs on Highway 16 and 93 to improve wayfinding with more signs to come in 2017.
Bridges: Major work was done on the Athabasca West Bridge, as well as the Snaring, Fiddle, and Miette bridges. The Athabasca West Bridge and the Miette River Bridge are now finished.
Work was also started on several intersections along Highway 16 to make them safer by adding acceleration and deceleration lanes.
Coming in 2017:
More road safety improvements on Highway 16 and 93, including paving and rock-scaling.
More road signs.
Bridge repairs on the Athabasca East and Clairvaux bridges.
Complete repairs on the Snaring Bridge.
Parks Canada Special to the 51°µÍø
