Celebrate Parks Day on July 17

Canoeing, kite-making, nature walks and a sand castle competition are some of the activities taking place in Nova Scotia provincial parks on Saturday, July 17 -- Canada's Parks Day.

"Our provincial parks have so much to offer and Parks Day is the perfect opportunity for everyone to enjoy our natural environment and to participate in outdoor activities," said Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt. "I encourage all Nova Scotians to visit a provincial park and take part in our Parks Day events."

The third Saturday in July is set aside as Parks Day in national, provincial, territorial and municipal parks across the country. The intent of the day is to raise awareness of the importance of parks and historic sites and to encourage active living.

Events are planned in the following provincial parks:

• Halifax Regional Municipality: events include an introduction to canoeing and fun activities about wildlife habitat and nature at Dollar Lake Provincial Park;
• Kings County: kite-making at Blomidon Provincial Park;
• Cape Breton County: French and English battle re-enactment at Mira River Provincial Park;
• Queens County: Keep It Wild workshop and Picnic in the Park at Thomas Raddall Provincial Park;
• Lunenburg County: sand castle competition at Rissers Beach Provincial Park;
• Pictou County: bug walk and talk at Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park;
• Hants County: A nighttime bat walk at Smileys Provincial Park.

More information on these events and other park activities is available at local offices of the Department of Natural Resources, visitor information centres, by calling 902-424- 4321 or by visiting the website at http://parks.gov.ns.ca .