New beach

The beach area at Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park has undergone a few changes this year.

Loreen Friskie, acting parks supervisor explained the water levels at the lake both through 2010, and again this year forced some alterations regarding the actual location of the public beach.

"With the high water a lot of sand washed off (the beach)," she said, adding "strong winds (in 2010) did a lot to the shoreline too."

The result was that the famed sand beach at the lake all but disappeared to the point last year a nearby volleyball court became a sort of makeshift beach area for park patrons.

This spring the decision was made to expand the beach area.

"We decided to do a little removal of trees," said Friskie, adding the sidewalk, which had been undermined by water has been rebuilt and extended toward the new beach area.

Friskie said the work to create a new beach area in the face of continued high waters levels was important because the beach is a huge part of the park.

"We're known for the beach," she said.

The beach's reputation is based on how shallow the water is extending well out into the lake from the beach area, said Friskie.

"It's such a great lake for young children. The lake is shallow and it has a sandy bottom," she said.

With the wet spring, park usage has been steady, but lower than average, said Friskie.

"We always have a steady flow of people traveling through," she said, adding early in the season many retired people like to visit the park because it is quieter. Spring also is the time cottagers open their cabins for the year.

Friskie had school groups also visit the park in June.

"This last week we had two, or three groups some days," she said.

July and August are always busier, but Friskie said campers should not worry about having a site.

"We always have campsites available," she said, adding "electrical sites get a little tricky to get, but we always have a spot."

This year there is some added incentive to visit Saskatchewan parks, as it is the 80th anniversary of provincial parks in the province.

"Good Spirit Lake was one of the original six parks," noted Friskie.

To help celebrate the anniversary Friskie said she would like to gather family stories, and historic pictures from park visitors.

"One thing I've noticed about Good Spirit is so many families visit. There's so much history to it," she said, adding it's not unusual for a family picnic to involved three, and even four generations, and often the elder generations visited the park when they were children.

"I think people really recognize the park is for all ages."

Throughout the summer there will be activities at the park, some to mark the 80th anniversary, and others simply as entertainment for patrons.

As examples former GX94 Star Search winner Samara Yung with perform in the park for Canada Day, July 9 and 10 a car show will be held at the park, James Edgar, a member of the Royal Astrological Society will host star gazing nights, and Saskatchewan Express will perform July 12.

To keep up with activities at Good Spirit Lake Park, and other provincial parks you can follow the links at www.saskparks.net