Parks Canada Celebrates 2011 Centennial at Parks, Historic Sites

2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada -- the world's first national park and historic site service. In 1911, 26 years after the first national park was established on May 19 in Banff, the Dominion Parks Branch was created, A century later, Parks Canada continues the tradition of supporting the country's national heritage places with educational programs and services for both citizens and visitors. It prides itself on being "a world leader in protecting and presenting treasured natural and historic places."

Parks Canada Centennial Celebration 2011

May 19 – Happy Birthday Parks Canada! The Centennial Launch in the Capital region will kick off the celebrations for the coming year.

June 18 & 19 - Learn to Camp, a nationwide urban camping event introducing people to camping and related activities. One hundred participants will be invited to participate in each of these cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto (two locations, 200 participants), Ottawa, Montréal, Québec and Halifax.

July 1 (Canada Day) - Doors Open on Canada Day will be held in all national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas managed by Parks Canada. Canada Day in the Capital will feature the centennial of Parks Canada. Admission is always free on Canada Day.

July 16 – Parks Day will include one hundred activities (100 for the Centennial) at locations across the country.

Both Doors Open on Canada Day and Parks Day will be held in all national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas managed by Parks Canada. Free entry along with special events and activities, including concerts and family activities.

August 20 & 21 - Fab Forts Weekend, inspired by the 300th birthday of the completion of Fort Chambly, is a national celebration of Canada's fur trade and military posts. The finale of the weekend will be Parks Canada's coast-to-coast 100-gun historic cannon salute.

October 10 - Parks Canada Thanks Canada on Thanksgiving.

Pictured Above: The Haut-fond Prince Lighthouse, located in Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, is part of Quebec's Lighthouse Trail. The marine park was established in 1998, and includes a section of the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord. Photo by Sue Frause.