By Rose Sanchez
Cypress Hills
The May long weekend will continue to be a more family-focused three days at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park this year, as a temporary liquor ban will be in place from noon on Thursday, May 20 until 6 p.m. on Monday, May 24.

Liquor will not be permitted in any of the park’s camping facilities nor in the day-use areas, as is the case at any time. The ban doesn’t apply to existing licensed establishments or townsite cottages.

There have been a number of incidents associated with alcohol in the park in the past, leading to enforcing a temporary liquor ban on the May long weekend.

“It has been very successful,” says Roger Benoit, conservation officer, for the reasoning behind having a liquor ban again this year — the third in a row. “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback the past two years. Many families and individuals who haven’t camped in the park in the past few years have started to return.”

Individuals who have liquor in the park’s facilities can be fined and or evicted.

There are 15 campgrounds on the Alberta side of the park, including full-services sites with showers to basic or walk-in tenting sites.

Campsites fill up quickly in the park. All of the fully-serviced sites are already booked, but there are still spots in Firerock and Lodgepole. To reserve a site call: 1-877-537-2757 or visit: www.reserve.albertaparks.ca.

Reesor Lake and Spruce Coulee campgrounds are available on a first-come, first serve basis and the liquor ban applies in those sites also.

“Hopefully, it will be nice, warm weather so we can kick off the summer camping season,” says Benoit.

Conservation officers will be on patrol throughout the three days and will not tolerate any noisy or rowdy behaviour.

Benoit encourages individuals who have public safety concerns while camping at the park to report them to the Cypress Hills Park Watch, a 24-hour phone line available by phoning 893-HELP (4357).