Garibaldi hiker urges others to respect parks

A local hiker is sharing her frustrations, saying she’s disappointed to see many people misusing B.C.’s provincial parks.

“I was so heartbroken seeing so many people disrespecting a place I’m so in love with,” Dawn Park told CityNews.

Park is a lover of the outdoors and a regular at Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park — a 12-hour round trip hike.

This past summer, she says she noticed an increase in the number of people frequenting the area.

“[It’s] really exciting to see so many people getting outside and exploring the trails,” she said.

However, she notes many of the people she’s seen doing things like walking off trail and stepping and resting on the flora. In some cases, Park says people were taking their dogs on the hike, which is prohibited in the area.

“We also saw at the peak people smoking and throwing their cigarette butts, which was really heartbreaking because we are in a fire ban,” she recalled.

Park says she took to TikTok to share her thoughts, expressing her concerns about how B.C.’s outdoor space was being used.

@dawnnpark Not my typical post and I’m so scared to post this but being able to explore and witness mother natures gems is such a privilege, please consider your impact ##hikebc##panoramaridge##hiketok Inspiring Emotional Piano – Metrow Ar

She’s asking people to preserve the park and its natural beauty.

“Going up to the hike, it’s just so different. The terrain that you get to experience and view and then also just when you’re up there it’s mesmerizing because the glaciers are beyond and then Garibaldi Lake under you. It’s literally just breathtaking and out of this world,” Park described.

The Ministry of Environment is reminding hikers to stay on trails, adding taking short cuts and trampling on non-trail areas can cause erosion and affect plant and animal habitats.

It adds smoking — cannabis, vaping, or otherwise — is not allowed in B.C. parks, except in designated front-country campsites. It also reiterates that pets are not allowed in Garibaldi Park.

“Respect the rules — they’re there for a reason. We all want to be able to experience these places and take our children there and be able to experience a beautiful place without having to see the litter on the ground,” said Park. “You want to leave the place better than you found it.”