Page 7 - Parks Canada – Waterton Lakes Visitor Centre
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services,” continues Rasheed, “so visitors get a        DARK SKY PARK
        sense of connection to the space immediately.”


                                                                Outside, the centre invites visitors to enjoy a
        ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP                               walk on its grounds, which features native plants


                                                                and interpretive displays in English, French, and
        Having the area accessible by foot and wheelchair       Blackfoot.
        was an integral part of the design. Eliminating the

        need for idling cars as much as possible aligns with    Visitors who stay later into the evening are in for a

        Parks Canada’s commitment as stewards of the            special treat. Waterton Lakes National Park is the

                                                                first transboundary International Dark Sky Park
           “It never fails to stuns visitors because
                                                                (certified by the International Dark Sky Association).
            not many people have seen what the
                                                                Everything one can learn about a Dark Sky Park is in
                   true night sky looks like.”
                                                                the Centre, which makes seeing the night sky even
                                                                more spectacular.
        environment. “Because we manage ecosystems and

        ecological integrity, this continues to be our first    “It never fails to stuns visitors because not many

        priority and so we started right from the get-go to     people have seen what the true night sky looks like,
        create sustainable infrastructure,” says Rasheed.       what the milky way looks like, what some of the


                                                                constellations look like and so it really promotes or
        Materials for the centre were sourced from suppliers    a unique way of experiencing a national park,” says
        whose products are environmentally responsible.         Rasheed. “We truly look forward to visitors enjoying

        The Centre is also in the process of attaining LEED     the Centre and what the Park has to offer.”
        accreditation.                                                               www.parkscanada.ca/waterton



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