Like many not-for-profit charities in Alberta, we have had to make some difficult decisions with respect to meeting our ever-increasing operational costs.
Effective January 1, 2020, we are implementing a system of paid parking in our visitor lot. Parking fees will help to ensure the continued sustainability of the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area (ASCCA).
Our decision to implement a parking fee was not easy, but it is necessary. Our primary guiding principle is to provide habitat for wildlife. Our secondary guiding principle is providing conservation education programs – particularly for young people with as little human impact as possible. The trails on the conservation area were put in place to support those two guiding principles and are for wildlife observation.
We estimate the cost of providing an opportunity for visitors to experience over 20 km of observation trails to be approximately $50,000 per year or $5 per visitor to maintain the trails and outhouses. Unfortunately, visitor donations do not come close to covering those costs. In addition, all of the government operating support we receive covers less than 1% of our entire operating budget.
Starting 2020, visitors will be required to pay a fee of $10 per vehicle seven days per week, from 4:00am until 11:00pm. Our parking lot is regularly patrolled by volunteers and staff and is monitored 24/7 by security cameras.
- All active ASCCA volunteers will receive annual parking passes
- Participants in education programs and special events will have parking validated
We will also implement a parking pass system. If you purchase your pass now until December 15, 2019, you will be able to access an early-bird price of $100 for the year. The regular price after December 15 of an annual pass will be $120 for the calendar year so we encourage frequent visitors to purchase their pass early.
