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No room outdoors

News_North-_editorial

NWT Parks bookings online during opening day this year hit a new record, with $101,900 coming from 710 reservations — a 17 per cent increase over 2017.

There is little doubt that the vast majority of those reservations were for campgrounds near Yellowknife.

After two days, 655 spots were snapped up at Fred Henne Territorial Park, with 278 at Reid Lake, and 263 at Prelude Lake.

For Yellowknifers still seeking a spot to pitch a tent, or park a motorhome close to the city, there are precious few sites remaining at those three popular campgrounds for this summer– particularly on long weekends.

So unless you wants to drive several hours to campgrounds further afield, such as Fort Providence — which is also very tight — or Lady Evelyn Falls or Hay River, your options are limited – unless you want or forge your own way into the wilderness.

Now that might be an option for individuals, couples or small groups. But it is a less enticing way to spend a summer camping vacation for those with young children, who need the ever-improved showers and playgrounds seen in North Slave-area GNWT campgrounds.

It is also not necessarily the best option for the environment, as some — and we stress, not the majority — of modern-day voyageurs might leave behind trash, damaged flora, disturbed fauna and even spark wildfires with improper campfires or a callously tossed cigarette butt. There are also safety concerns, as inexperienced campers could find themselves lost or injured in areas with little or no cellphone service.

So some simply pull a trailer to, or erect some form of semi-permanent structure on, a favorite area and become squatters.

So what is the answer? Last year, a record number of 35,050 people visited the territory's parks. Most campers are from the Northwest Territories, followed by visitors from Alberta, Ontario, B. C. and even from the United States.

In a normal supply and demand situation, the number of sites in parks would be expanded, or a new park created altogether. In addition, the GNWT could go ahead and offer more cabin lots for sale.

But this isn’t a normal situation. The Akaitcho Dene First Nations, the GNWT and Government of Canada have for years been negotiating an agreement on land, resources and self-government. The First Nations group includes the communities of Dettah, Ndilo, Lutsel K’e and Fort Resolution.

That process has taken years and there is no firm end in sight.

Yellowknives Dene First Nation, one of the four members of the Akaitcho, has voiced concerns in years past over the GNWT’s land administration policies, pointing to conflicts with traditional land uses and the effects more cabins could have on the environment.

Yellowknifer certainly respects that. However, the realities of the situation must be addressed.

The capital of the NWT is both trying to attract and retain residents, especially young professionals who could wonder what attractions the region has to offer. Accessible summer recreation options are one piece of the package that could help there.

The GNWT has been poking away at a recreation management plan for lands outside and around Yellowknife, Dettah, and Ndılo that are well-used for outdoor recreation for several years now with no obvious progress in sight. It's supposed to be resolved during the life of this legislative assembly but we're not waiting on bated breath for that to happen.

In 2015, the newly minted Department of Lands offered would-be cabin owners a tiny morsel of 22 lots along the Ingraham Trail. Some 913 people paid $100 each to enter the ballot draw for the lots, which were snapped up like pieces of chicken dangled above pit full of starving crocodiles.

If the GNWT were at all interested in hurrying this process along it would offer the leases to the Akaitcho to sell.

Surely, some accommodation for all the competing recreational land-use concerns can be found, as there are benefits for all concerned.

Especially for a young family just wanting to enjoy this great place for a few days during our short summers.