Dear Editor,
My family and I came to this wonderful country back in 1975. Ever since my first trip into the Rockies I have always been in awe of the splendor and grandeur in this beautiful area of the world. I have been, and will continue to be, a regular visitor to our wonderful national parks in Alberta and British Columbia.
Over the past few years I have had some troubling misgivings regarding the political direction our parks system has taken. Examples include the significant increase in the cost of a Parks Pass and camping fees, the reduction of valuable and motivated staff within Parks Canada and the total disregard for valued research and science based findings regarding the future of our national parks.
I feel that our government no longer considers parks as a heritage of which they (the government) are a trusted guardian. I believe our government policies are excluding the average family from our national parks. The cost of just being able to go there is rising beyond what is acceptable to visit our national heritage.
I think we, sadly, will have an extraordinary number of children reaching adulthood who have never visited (their) national parks.
One of the great road journeys of the world is our Icefields Parkway. When it was proposed to build a Skywalk I was skeptical. I did however cling to the hope that the finished product would be tasteful and still allow full access to a viewpoint that is awe-inspiring, beautiful and among the most spectacular views of any mountain region in the world.
In mid-June I once again drove, with visitors from overseas, the Icefields Parkway. When we came to the 鈥淪kywalk鈥� I could not believe what had happened to that location.
This is probably the most hideous sight in the Canadian Rockies. What has been constructed there is a total monstrosity that is more suited to some derelict shipyard than to a world heritage valley.
Why our national parks and particularly our government allowed this disgusting development is beyond comprehension.
I know the Brewster company has done much to open up the parks for visitors and I appreciate their efforts in this direction. But this so called 鈥淪kywalk鈥� does nothing for this wonderful valley.
It is in my opinion a major mistake and only shows how intrusive and uncaring man can be when searching for more money.
My remedy would be to remove this so called attraction as swiftly as it was erected and return this area to a wonderful place to pullover, step out of your vehicle or off your bike, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Sunwapta Valley.
Jack Almond
Leduc, Alta.
