By Lara Fominoff - @fomsy1 on Twitter

Castle Parks campers reminded to pick up permit before heading out this weekend

May 17, 2017 | 1:11 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The May long weekend is often touted as being the first unofficial camping weekend of the year, but if you’re planning on heading out to the Castle parks, there are a few things you need to know, says Environment Minister Shannon Phillips.

First, everyone who wants to camp in either of the Castle parks will need to pick up a free permit or pass, which can be obtained online or at select retailers.

“Just so that we know how many folks are out there in the case of public emergency and in order to ensure and better plan and better support these activities.”

Second, Phillips says people will also see a few changes in random camping areas this year.

“They will notice better support for the activities. So, there will be toilets provided in certain spots. They will notice that there is garbage collection facilities out there so we don’t have some of the littering that is seen in the past, which is very, very expensive to clean up.”

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There are also fire pits available to use, says Phillips. And she emphasizes they must be used because of the increased wildfire risk, citing 35 wildfire emergency responses in the Castle parks over the last few years.

“We really need to keep people safe,” she explained.

Some other regulations campers should be aware of:

-Permits provide up to 16 days of camping
-Camping must be within areas as identified on maps and/or within marked areas
-Camping units must be at least 15 m away from a roadway, but not more than 200 m, unless otherwise posted
-Clearing of vegetation is not permitted
-Camping areas must be grassed or previously disturbed; no new disturbance is permitted
-Wood may not be cut within designated camping areas
-OHVs are permitted on signed and designated trails
-Driving in natural water bodies is against the law
-Remove all garbage for disposal at home or at an approved garbage disposal facility