Future of Recreation: The great and future potential

Paul Masukowitz photo

A look ahead with the minister in charge of recreation and protected spaces 

From access to nature to apps and AI, the evolution of trail construction to electric power, this story is part of a series of articles looking at how recreation will change and evolve over the short and long term. 

2023 was a landmark year for recreation in B.C. The provincial government enabled the establishment of a $10-million Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC, managed by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, to boost volunteer stewardship projects. Recreation Sites and Trails BC was moved into the same ministry as BC Parks. The provincial budget included $71-million in funding for recreation infrastructure, including $3.6 million in accessibility projects. 

These are just a few of the announcements made by George Heyman, the Environment and Climate Change Strategy minister. And the year is only half old.

“Just as we need to find housing for people in need, with increased interest in recreation and natural spaces, we also must ensure there is sufficient public infrastructure so all British Columbians have opportunities to recreate and be in nature,” says Heyman. “We’re making historic investments.”

And they are not done. Last year, the government committed to protecting 30 percent of the province’s land and water by 2030, up from about 15 percent today. Heyman’s ministry shares the work of identifying and setting aside new areas with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. Add population growth, increasing interest in outdoor recreation, a historic deficit in infrastructure investment in BC Parks and Rec Sites and Trails to make up for, and all the chaos brought by climate change, and it’s clear Heyman and his ministry have plenty of work ahead of them.

ORCBC sat down with the minister to find out more about the trail ahead.

ORCBC: How would you describe the investments your government has made in recreation over the last few years?

Minister Heyman: We have made major investments to expand recreation opportunities since 2017 and particularly since the start of Covid. We’ve invested more in the last three years than was invested in BC Parks in decades. Could the system use more money? Absolutely. Are we struggling to spend all the money? Absolutely. That’s where volunteer groups step in. We recognize the tremendous contribution volunteers make and there is funding in the budget to support the work of community groups and clubs. I think that’s a way for us to communicate that we recognize it takes money for volunteers to do the work they do.

ORCBC: Every park, trailhead, campground and trail in the province probably needs money for improvements and repairs. How do you decide where to invest limited government funds?

Minister Heyman: It’s always an ongoing effort to determine where the money and work is most needed. We look at the age and state of the infrastructure, how busy a park or facility is and focus on accessibility wherever possible. We try to balance it between parks and regions. But we do tend to focus on the areas with high-level visitation, so the South Coast and Vancouver Island.  

ORCBC: Many of these areas have never been busier. What is the province doing to encourage responsible use of these natural places?

Minister Heyman: We’re always trying to promote responsible recreation. Take somewhere like Joffre Lakes. It’s beautiful but we’ve all seen the pictures of the level of visitor use on a beautiful day. We understand it’s hard to enjoy the beauty with hundreds of other people. We collaborate with partners on projects like the Camper’s Code. We attend recreation conferences. We try to find lots of ways to educate people – park ambassadors, signage, volunteers, park and campground staff – in an ongoing effort to make the whole system better and friendlier for everyone. 

ORCBC: More and more research suggests recreation can negatively impact biodiversity. Protecting biodiversity is a key part of your government’s 30 by 30 pledge. Is it possible to balance them both? 

Minister Heyman: Maintaining biodiversity and natural habitat definitely means taking a look at the different activities that have a harmful role on biodiversity. Conserving land and water and managing for conservation values does not mean there is no room for people to engage in recreation. But it does mean some activities in some areas will not be acceptable. In my experience the more people are out in nature, the more they understand the importance of conservation measures and the trade offs we have to make. Whatever we do towards our 30 by 30 goals, it will be in collaboration and conversation wth First Nations. In some cases First Nations will manage a park as part of their territory. It will be managed differently, but access for the general public will continue.  

ORCBC: In situations like that and other treaty, reconciliation and land use discussions between your government and First Nations governments, how are recreation interests considered? And how can recreation groups get involved? 

Minister Heyman: There definitely is a place for recreation, but it needs to be recognized that these are constitutionally protected discussions between two governments. There is an opportunity at the round table level for clubs to talk about what they would like to see. There are lots of examples of how we’ve set up these round tables, and they will continue in the future. (The Shuswap Trail Roundtable is a good example.) They are a great opportunity to bring all the stakeholders closer together. Keeping everyone apart is not the right way. And we’re already seeing this in a way we wouldn’t have 30 years ago. There is no community that is thinking about deciding its future without sitting down with First Nations. They are our neighbours and part of our communities. Having open and honest conversations with them is part of what reconciliation looks like. As long as we realize there are constitutionally protected rights for First Nations, I think there is lots of room for discussion.

ORCBC: Anything else you’d like to add in closing?

Minister Heyman: When I connect with nature in a quiet place, it always rejuvenates me. I think if we work together, multiple generations of people will be able to experience the same sense of peace and well-being. If we do that, we’ll have a great future.

Ryan Stuart started writing about his adventures as a way to get paid to play. Twenty years later he’s still at it. Look for his name in magazines like Outside, Men’s Journal, Ski Canada, online at Hakai and The Narwhal. When he’s not typing at his home office in Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley, you can find him skiing, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, paddling or fishing somewhere nearby.