Funding Boost for Recreation Agency Will Foster Healthy Communities and Create Jobs

Destination BC | Northern BC Tourism | Andrew Strain.

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC has launched a new campaign ahead of the 2022 budget that calls on the Province to invest more in one of its own recreation agencies that it says has fallen under the radar for government priorities. 

British Columbia has seen skyrocketing demands for outdoor recreation since the start of the pandemic as people headed outdoors to reduce stress, achieve greater wellbeing, and safely connect with friends and family. 

The booming interest has put unprecedented pressure on trails, campsites, and natural areas. As a result of the high usage, BC's recreation infrastructure and the natural environment are showing significant degradation due to a lack of maintenance and overuse. There is a noticeable lack of basic facilities in many places, including outhouses, wildlife-proof garbage containers and signage, and insufficient staff to plan and manage these assets.

Well-planned and managed recreation amenities are an integral part of the outdoor recreation economy and BC's brand as a $20.5 billion tourist destination. They also contribute as a preventative and curative strategy to combat mental illness and physical inactivity in adults and children. The Outdoor Recreation Council worries that unless the Province starts to make significant investments in outdoor recreation, BC will see a continued decline in recreation experiences, destruction of the natural areas that the outdoor sector relies on, and the many benefits to BC's rural communities will not materialize.

Louise Pedersen, Executive Director for the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, says: "Last year, the provincial government acknowledged the need for more resources for outdoor recreation when it gave BC Parks a historic funding boost of $83 million for recreation expansion and improvements. We strongly encourage the government to follow suit in this year's budget by investing in recreation on the other 80% of the land base."

Recreation Sites and Trails BC is a small government agency within the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development that plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective management, safety and enjoyment of recreation resources such as trails, picnic areas and campsites on public lands outside of BC's protected areas, local government boundaries and First Nations reserves. 

With only 50 staff members and an $8 million annual operating budget, the agency oversees more than 1,000 recreation sites and 20,000 kilometres of trails in all regions of the province. Despite its extensive mandate, the Outdoor Recreation Council worries that the agency seems to have somehow slipped under the radar of government priorities.

A historical lack of provincial investments in supporting its operation means that the agency faces a significant maintenance backlog, an overreliance on partnerships with volunteer recreation groups without providing adequate support, and an inability to participate effectively in land use and recreation planning.

Due to long-standing capacity challenges, many recreation groups are experiencing significant difficulties getting the necessary authorization permits to construct, rehabilitate, and maintain trails and other recreational facilities. These severe delays are putting many worthy projects that have received COVID-recovery support in jeopardy.

The Outdoor Recreation Council and its members participated in the 2022 budget consultation. All highlighted the urgent need to increase Recreation Sites and Trails BC's operational funding and support for trail steward groups. In response to the submissions, the Select Standing Committee recommended to the government in its budget consultation report to: "provide increased funding for parks, recreation and trails to address gaps in maintenance and staff, including dedicated funding to community-based organizations for trail maintenance and development."

Louise Pedersen continued, "We were very encouraged to see the government's budget committee recognize the need for increased investments in outdoor recreation. Well-maintained, safe and accessible trails and outdoor spaces have never been more critical to British Columbia. Outdoor recreation is not just a stalwart source of physical activity, mental wellbeing and social connectedness during trying times; it is also a significant economic powerhouse that can invigorate and strengthen BC's rural towns by creating jobs, diversifying economies and boosting tourism. 

"Increased investments in Recreation Sites and Trails BC will help put British Columbia in a much greater position to develop a world-class trail and recreation system that facilitates broad and inclusive participation in outdoor recreation, follows best practices for trail design and environmental considerations, fosters reconciliation through increased Indigenous representation in recreation planning, development and management, and boosts tourism and job creation."

Read more about the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC's campaign to seek more funding for recreation in the 2022 provincial budget: https://bit.ly/3FIWP7T