Community News
​
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS!
FIRE BAN IN EFFECT – MAY 5, 2025. The Prince Albert National Park has entered a fire ban May 5, 2025, restricted until further notice.
​​Beginning Spring of 2025, Prince Albert National Park is aligning its firewood program with other national, provincial, and regional parks programs. Access to free firewood is changing. CLICK HERE for the full details you need to know.​
​
​Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a hot topic at the local, provincial and national levels. AIS, including zebra mussels, are non-native plants, animals, invertebrates and diseases introduced to ecosystems by human activity. Zebra mussels and other AIS reproduce very rapidly, have no natural predators, and outcompete native species for resources. Right now you can help keep AIS and zebra mussels out of Prince Albert National Park by donating to the Waskesiu Foundation AIS Defence Fund. Their first objective is to raise $29,800 by May 1 in order to purchase two decontamination units that complement Parks Canada's program to clean high-risk watercraft coming from out of province. CLICK HERE for a direct link to further information and ongoing information can be found by CLICKING HERE.
​To book your 2025 Campground Reservations for Waskesiu campgrounds phone: 1-877-737-3783 or online: https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve.
​
​PANP Wildland Fire Managment Plan - The Parks Canada Agency Wildland Fire Management Directive (PCA, 2017) requires that all wildfire-prone national parks develop a wildland fire management plan.
​
PANP Wildfire Reduction Plan - This Wildfire Risk Reduction Plan describes the risk reduction objectives and implementation details of the project from 2023/24 to the end of 2025/26.
​CLICK HERE for important information on how to keep Aquatic Invasive Species out of Prince Albert National Park and ruining our lakes.
​PANP INFORMATION FOR WASKESIU SEASONAL RESIDENTS:
Do you ever have a question or need help but not sure where to go in Waskesiu?
CLICK HERE for PANP's convenient, printable Flow Chart to assist you in getting
the help you need.
​
​​You can make a positive impact for Waskesiu - be a volunteer! One of the items identified in the Waskesiu “Vision 2028” Action Plan was the creation of a Volunteer Database for the Waskesiu community. Signing up is simple, and yet important. Even if you have been a long-time volunteer in Waskesiu, please complete this online form so that we have the most up to date information. Feel free to invite friends, relatives, or annual visitors to Waskesiu to sign up! Our community thrives on a variety of activities and events, and we can't be successful without volunteers. CLICK HERE for the Volunteer Sign Up Form.
​
​Creating a safe and enjoyable community is a shared responsibility. Parks Canada is introducing several New Protocols and Strategies in summer 2023 that impact residents and commercial operators in Waskesiu.
​
Parcel X - “Keep the Rubber Off the Road”
​
Waskesiu Community Council and Waskesiu Seasonal Residents Association Joint Communication on: (1) Water & Sewer Infrastructure, and (2) Cabin Area - Bringing Legal Non-Conforming Decks into Compliance.
​
​​​
PARKS CANADA & ACTIVITIES
​​
​DOWNLOAD the 2025 PANP Summer Activities Guide & Trail Map HERE!
PANP INFORMATION FOR WASKESIU SEASONAL RESIDENTS - June 2024:
Do you ever have a question or need help but not sure where to go in Waskesiu? CLICK HERE for PANP's convenient Flow Chart to assist you in getting the help you need..
​
An Important Message to Waskesiu Residents from Parks Canada:
To everyone who has their civic address posted prominently on the front of their cottage, cabin, home, or business, we sincerely thank you! If you have not done so yet, please immediately post the numbers in a highly visible location of your property that faces toward the street. This will greatly assist emergency responders in the event they need to find you quickly. Google maps does not always accurately locate your property on a map!
​
​​There is a new Waste Management webpage on the Prince Albert National Park website. The webpage has some helpful details on yard waste, small construction waste, and reporting illegal dumping for residents and visitors to Waskesiu and the Prince Albert National Park.
​
Information Bulletin - Wildfire Readiness in Prince Albert National Park
​
Check out the Plains Bison in Prince Albert National Park!
​
Volunteer and help monitor the loon population of Prince Albert National Park’s lakes.
​
FACILITY & SAFETY
&
INFRASTRUCTURE NOTICES
​
​​PANP Wildland Fire Managment Plan - The Parks Canada Agency Wildland Fire Management Directive (PCA, 2017) requires that all wildfire-prone national park develop a wildland fire management plan. ​
​
PANP Wildfire Reduction Plan - This Wildfire Risk Reduction Plan describes the risk reduction objectives and implementation details of the project from 2023/24 to the end of 2025/26.
​
A message from Parks Canada – Annual Fall Water Disconnection Instructions in Waskesiu Cabin Area. Cabin and cottage owners and commercial operators are all responsible for disconnecting their property from the main water system according to the Fall Water Service Shut Down Directive. Make this a part of your end-of-season routine. To assist Cabin owners (Bluebird to Pelican), please watch this INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO made in collaboration with the Waskesiu Seasonal Residents Association. Simply follow the steps in the video, close the wooden box once finished, and help prevent damage in the winter! For questions related to water services, please contact panpassets@pc.gc.ca.
​
​​CLICK HERE for the PANP 2024 Cabin Yard Waste Pick-up Schedule.
​
2023 Waskesiu Potable Water Report - Commentary:
1. Parks Canada routinely monitors drinking water quality to make sure it is within the guidelines set by Health Canada, including quarterly monitoring of trihalomethane (THM) levels. As part of its water treatment process, Parks Canada uses chlorine. Chlorine is an effective disinfectant but can react with organic compounds in the water to produce a by-product on the surface called THM’s. Their levels vary from year to year. The benefits of disinfection outweigh the risks of current THM levels and untreated water. Drinking water that has 0.1 mg/l has a 1 in 1,000,000 carcinogenic risk based on someone consuming 1.5 litres every day for 70 years. Residents and visitors to Waskesiu can reduce or eliminate THM in their drinking water by:
1. Keeping water uncovered overnight
2. Boiling it
3. Filtering it with activated carbon filters.
2. There was also determined to be non-compliance in the frequency of chlorine residual tests in the distribution system. In 2023 Parks Canada did fewer tests on the distribution system than called for in the guidelines, however the chlorine levels are tested constantly at the plant. Parks Canada dramatically increased the number of BacT tests throughout the system (as noted in the report), ensuring the safety of drinking water. Parks Canada has a plan in place to be compliant with all testing requirements for 2024. CLICK HERE to read the latest update on the water quality in Waskesiu.
​CLICK HERE to view Parks Canada Brochure for residents and visitors on Managing Waste in Waskesiu.
​
Waskesiu Townsite Yard Waste Directive REVISED - May 1, 2021
​
Protect your summer residence as you would your year-round home – install a backflow preventer valve!
​
The buoyed swim area at Paignton Beach was moved to reduce the potential for injury caused by having swimmers and boaters in the same area. With so many people enjoying Paignton Beach, especially around the point, and the increasing size and number of boats in the area, the decision was made to centralize the swim area and provide boat parking on either side. CLICK HERE for a map with the details.
​
Parks Canada takes Wildfire preparation seriously and measures are underway to reduce the risk from potential wildfires to Waskesiu and neighboring communities.
A strong risk reduction plan is key to ensuring public safety, enhancing visitor experience and protecting resources.
​
Urban Forest Renewal in Waskesiu
​
CLICK HERE for the Fact Sheets for the annual Waskesiu Community Fuel Break prescribed fire (40 ha) and the Amyot Trail prescribed fire on the west side of the park (1,340 ha).
​
Prince Albert National Park Infrastructure Update.
​
RECYCLING CHANGES FOR WASKESIU VISITORS AND RESIDENTS:
Visitors and residents are advised that #1 plastic items and plastic grocery bags are accepted for recycling in Waskesiu and Prince Albert National Park. Please place such items (clean and rinsed) in the designated bins located throughout the townsite. Residents are asked NOT to place any face masks or rubber/latex gloves in the recycling bins. These items are a health hazard for waste management workers and potentially contaminate large volumes of recyclable material.
​
Important information and links for residents and contractors
The new “Roll Off” construction waste bin is now available for Waskesiu cabin and cottage owners to dispose of small amounts of construction materials.
CLICK HERE for full details on hours of operation and what can and cannot be disposed of in the bin.​​
​
