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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