Jasper National Park will start to reopen in June, and the message from the community for Victoria Day weekend remains the same: Now is not the time to visit Jasper.
Following current public health directives, non-essential travel is still not recommended for Alberta, and the community of Jasper, as a whole, is discouraging visitors.
Mayor Richard Ireland released a video message May 14 on the topic.
鈥淲e are all anxious and eager to welcome guests back to our community when it is safe and responsible for us to do so,鈥� he said.
鈥淲hen that time comes we will welcome you with open smiles, open hearts and open doors.鈥�
Visitor services and vehicle access is still suspended at Jasper National Park, over the Victoria Day Long Weekend.
All services and facilities such as campgrounds, information centres, entry gates, playgrounds and picnic shelters remain closed. All events, group and interpretive activities remain suspended until further notice.
Parks Canada will begin a safe, gradual opening of some outdoor locations in June, however non-essential travel is not recommended until Stage 3 of Alberta鈥檚 reopening plan - which still has no estimated date.
Ireland said: 鈥淛asper National Park is not in a position to welcome visitors. Some roads are closed, campgrounds are closed and most visitor services including many washrooms remain closed.
鈥淚n the community, many hotels and guest accommodations remain closed while owners and employees make preparations to safely resume operations when travel recommendations are lifted.鈥�
Ireland said Jasper鈥檚 top priority is safety for its residents, workforce and guests.
He addressed regional guests, 鈥渟o many of whom regard Jasper as their backyard鈥�.
鈥淲e are thrilled you think of us in that way, the fact is the backyard is not quite ready,鈥� said Ireland.
鈥淲e thank you for your patience. It shouldn鈥檛 be too much longer but now is still not the time to come to Jasper.鈥�
