JASPER
NATIONAL PARK CENTENNIAL
In 2007, Jasper National Park will honor its past and look
toward its future as it celebrates 100 years of cultural and
natural history as a protected place. To commemorate such
a milestone, Jasper National Park is planning one hundred
days of celebration. Centennial celebrations will include
exhibits, events, publications, a centennial documentary,
learning opportunities and the creation of various legacies.
It’s an opportunity for all to learn about Jasper’s
natural and cultural heritage, and how to become better stewards
of all protected places. It is a unique time to feel the power
of our landscape and the richness of our past, and to commit
to our future. In 2007, Jasper National Park is the place
to be.
Visit Jasper National Park’s Centennial Celebrations’
website, www.jasper100.com,
for a complete calendar of events.
ABOUT JASPER NATIONAL PARK’S NATURAL
HERITAGE
Although Jasper National Park has seen many changes in the
last century, much of the park remains wilderness. The largest
of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks, Jasper spans over
10,800 km2 of broad valleys, magnificent rugged mountains,
glaciers, waterfalls, forests, alpine meadows, and wild rivers
along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Jasper National Park protects a diverse variety of wildlife
and plants. Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, and mule
deer, as well as their predators make Jasper one of the great
delicate and carefully protected ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains.
This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places in
southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores,
including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines.
SHARING SOME OF JASPER NATIONAL PARK’S
STORIES
In 1907, when it becomes apparent that two transcontinental
railways will soon pass through the Athabasca Valley, the
Dominion Government sets aside an area of about 13,000 km2
(5000 sq. miles), establishing Jasper Forest Reserve.
In1911, the Grand Trunk Pacific Steel reaches Fitzhugh Station.
The name is changed to ‘Jasper’ two years later
and Jasper Town is laid out by the government.
In 1930, the National Parks Act is passed and Jasper is officially
established as a national park. And in 1931, as a relief project
for hundreds of men, work begins on the Jasper-Banff Highway.
The road (known nowadays as the Icefield parkway) is completed
in 1940 ? just in the nick of time, as the nation’s
resources are soon fully devoted to World War II.
JASPER LANDMARKS
Jasper Park Information Centre National Historic Site of
Canada (500 Connaught Drive) In 1913, Jasper National Park
superintendent, Lieutenant Colonel Maynard Rogers, was overseeing
much of the early development of the Jasper townsite. He had
visions of a unified architectural theme for the town, believing
local materials and building methods
should be used. Completed in 1914, the Jasper Park Information
Centre originally housed park administration offices, a museum,
a fish hatchery, and living quarters for the park superintendent.
Designated as a Federal Heritage Building in 1992, this picturesque
fieldstone park building is now one of the finest and most
influential examples of rustic architecture in Canada’s
national parks
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NEWS
London, UK ... Jasper National
Park of Canada was honoured today in London as a 2007 recipient
of the World Travel Market Global Award in the North American
region. Nominated by the Canadian Travel Press, this award
recognizes the Jasper National Park’s significant contribution
to the travel and tourism industry during its centennial year.
''Jasper National Park is proud to receive this honour
and the recognition that goes with it. We thank our major
Centennial celebration partners who helped ensure a range
of high quality activities and events throughout the year,''
said Alan Latourelle, Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada
Agency. ''Without the involvement of the Friends of Jasper
National Park, the Municipality of Jasper, the Jasper-Yellowhead
Museum and Jasper Tourism and Commerce, the centennial celebration
would not have been the huge success it was. Today we share
this award with them and the many private businesses who
contribute to our dynamic and ongoing collaboration with
the tourism industry.''
The park works closely with many partners and organizations
involved in the travel industry to increase awareness of this
protected heritage place as a sustainable tourism destination.
As a part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World
Heritage Site, Jasper National Park and their partners offer
authentic experiences that feature the wildlife, landscapes
and stories of these mountains, rivers, valleys and glaciers.
Spanning over 10,000 square kilometres (4200 square
miles), the park offers spectacular drives as well as hiking
and biking trails for all ability levels. The park welcomes
nearly 2 million visitors each year and is one of the cornerstones
of the tourism industry in Alberta. The community of Jasper,
located within the park, offers world-class services to help
visitors make the best of their stay.
''Whereas Jasper is mostly known as a natural protected
area,'' continued Mr. Latourelle. ''It is important to note
that there are also national historic sites within the park
that help tell the story of Canada’s history, including
the fur trade and transportation through the mountains -
linking the west coast to the rest of Canada.''
Canada has the distinction of having established the
first parks organization in the world, and Jasper, established
in 1907 is one of the oldest parks in Canada. The family of
protected heritage places managed by Parks Canada has grown
to include 157 national historic sites, 42 national parks
and three national marine conservation areas. Canada’s
protected heritage areas are consistently identified to be
among the country’s most powerful national symbols in
public opinion polls. These special places help protect and
present the nature and culture of Canada.
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