Another sort of "Campground"
Nearly everything that is "right" about our Provincial Parks is
overshadowed by what can go wrong...
In light of what we now know about climate change and the human
activities which can affect it, I believe the Manitoba Government
should and can play a larger leadership role in both educating the
public and in signaling our resolve to change behavior.
One department that one would hope would lead the way is Conservation
and Climate,
and one place where we should hope to best practices is in our
Provincial Parks. As in all departments, there is a lot of talk about
sustainability.
But like many environmental policy
initiatives at all levels of government, and by governments of all
stripes, the environmental features touted here seem more like a public
relations exercises than
serious
attempts to address the real issues of sustainability. Real change will
have to push us at least a little ways out of our comfort zone, and our
governments are very reluctant to challenge voters.
As a frequent visitor to our many parks I have
observed that some seem to be managed with a lack of sensitivity to
environmental concerns. This is apparent in both small day-to-day
management decisions and in some general policies.
The staff whom we encountered were friendly and pleasant, and in most
ways were doing a fine job - but they perhaps needed some leadership
and guidelines.
First and foremost, all the parks I have visited continue to enable our
car-dependent culture in both subtle and obvious ways. At some
campgrounds the most desirable sites, the ones close to the beach, are
serviced sites. On these serviced sites one often finds large motor
homes or trailers pulled by large trucks. It is obvious that many are
long-term.
![](3unsustainablecamping/camp13.jpg)
By contrast, we come in with our small car and a tent. If we
can get an unserviced site we sometimes save a few dollars. The
energy/environmental footprint differential and the simple stress level
on the infrastructure are both obvious and substantial. It seems as if
the environmentally friendly camper is actually subsidizing the energy
hog.
Some aspects
of the
campground at Winnipeg Beach seem to me to
illustrate the heart of the issue.
While beautiful and well managed, it begs several interesting questions.
Apparently we have spent 8 million or so creating a sustainable, energy
efficient, eco-friendly place for Manitobans and visitors to spend some
time while enjoying Lake Winnipeg.
So what does and ecologically friendly campground look like?
Yes, the washroom lights and water heating are solar powered and they
tell me ecologically friendly materials were used throughout. But what
about the row after row of carefully
manicured and tended sites, featuring carefully leveled graveled pads
connected by paved lanes?
![](3unsustainablecamping/camp1.jpg)
![](3unsustainablecamping/camp3.jpg)
The sites are fully serviced with
no provisions made for those of us who prefer a more low-impact
experience. Why do those who simply want a quiet evening by the lake
seem almost unwelcome?
I understand why it must have seemed easier to install all services in
each site - but again, while we didn't require those services, we still
paid the same rate. The rate wasn't that bad - so I didn't think too
much about it. On my recent trip to Ontario, some campground prices
were much higher - so that's good? Not if I’m subsidizing this monument
to waste.
The view is of countless large motor
homes and fifth wheel trailers towed by large trucks, I didn't even
want to think too much about the incredible wasteful fossil fuel
consumption, the wear and tear on the roads, and the CO2 emissions the
sight represented. It's a free country. We have the right to pollute,
and conspicuous consumption is a hallmark of our station in life.
However, I
couldn't help wondering about what a deal it was... for them, the ones
with these fully equipped homes on wheels. And I
have a nagging suspicion that my provincial government, by providing
them with this beautiful lakeside site at this cut-rate cost, is
actually losing money on the deal. Which means that those of us who
choose a less wasteful way to enjoy the outdoors are helping them out.
Should it feel good to lend a hand to those more financially fortunate
than myself? Is that a policy direction that supports
sustainability (let alone justice?)
What sort of "environmentalists" were consulted
before this place was constructed? No one really interested in
the
environment would design a campground wherein the environmentally
friendly camper subsidized those with a larger carbon footprint.
It is of course not a campground in any sense of the word, but rather a
summer home park, suburbia on wheels, and by providing it, our
government is encouraging (did I mentions subsidizing?) extremely
wasteful and unsustainable behavior. It's sort of like a reverse carbon
tax.
![](3unsustainablecamping/camp8.jpg)
Walk around the campground on a warm day and two sounds predominate.
The hum of air conditioning units and the whine of gasoline powered
lawn care devices.
Sites can
have as many as three vehicles, many sites have a tent as well.
Many have brought in a whole variety of furniture, barbecues, etc. This
isn’t camping. The point is; these users pay
the same fee as us, but
in terms of environmental impact and in terms of use of resources -
we’re much more profitable as clients. Shouldn’t a fee structure
promote non-intrusive low impact use of natural resources?
Some years ago I wrote to the Minster of the Environment outlining some
of the above concerns. A staffer replied, acknowledging my concerns and
helpfully reminded me that I could find unserviced spots another half
hour down the road that might meet my needs. Thanks. Those of us who
want to do the right thing should drive farther and take second best.
It reminds me of when many restaurant non-smoking section were too
small and not as well located as the smoking section. Talk about not
getting it!
My observations cause me to ask if this is what we want from our
provincial park campgrounds? Couldn't we leave that sort of the thing
to private enterprise?
My solution is simple. In all aspects of government services we need to
make sure that the incentive or advantage favours, and thus encourages,
environmentally responsible behavior. All I need is a small grassy area
to set up our tent - that doesn't cost much to create or maintain. Was
it too much to hope for that the campground at Winnipeg Beach,
evidently designed with large camping vehicles in mind, might have a
small tenting-only area? And while we're at it why shouldn't the
environmentally friendly camper get the nice spots for a change?
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