Glacier Discovery Walk Project gets Parks Canada approval

BANFF - Parks Canada has given Brewster Travel Canada approval to proceed with the next steps in the development of the Glacier Discovery Walk Project, including negotiating a mutually acceptable construction contract and lease agreement with Parks Canada. While still subject to additional approvals and reviews, the Glacier Discovery Walk is one step closer to reality.

The Glacier Discovery Walk project has met all required environment assessment guidelines and is a project that is acceptable within Parks Canada's policy framework governing the management and protection of national parks. 

The decision for the Glacier Discovery Walk project, a 400-metre-long guided interpretive walkway with a 30-metre glass-floored observation area overlooking the Sunwapta Valley at the Tangle Ridge Viewpoint in Jasper National Park, is a major step in an extensive regulatory process required by the federal government through Parks Canada for all projects occurring within a national park. In addition to meeting policy guidelines for interpretive experiences within the park, Parks Canada's review process required the completion of a screening level environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) to identify any potential environmental impacts from the project with proposed means of eliminating and/or mitigating them. CEAA also requires an extensive public consultation period following the release of the Environmental Assessment report. A decision is then made by Parks Canada following a fact-based review of all plans, assessments, studies and consultation inquiries.

As part of the CEAA process, Brewster commissioned a wildlife impact study for the project that focused heavily on collecting mountain goat and bighorn sheep data. The study, submitted along with the Environmental Assessment report, provides new information on the behaviour of wildlife to Parks Canada and other environmental stakeholders. In particular, the study provides clarification about how and when mountain goats and bighorn sheep use trails and cliffs in and around the Sunwapta Canyon Viewpoint, providing experts with a systematic look on how these precious wildlife use front-country sites that already have a high human use and, thus, human interaction.

Brewster's vision for the project is to create a stunning world-class, fully accessible viewing experience in Jasper National Park that will provide an interpretive guided opportunity that focuses on the wonder of the unique ecosystem, glaciology, and natural and aboriginal history of the iconic Columbia Icefield area. Since the project's inception, Brewster has worked with designers, architects, engineers and environmental associates to ensure the Glacier Discovery Walk exceeds park standards, reflects and is respectful of the natural surroundings while preserving the natural beauty of the area.

The project's design — developed by Sturgess Architecture in Calgary — recently won a prestigous international architectural award at the World Festival of Architecture for its stunning design that evokes the surrounding landscape and for incorporation of environmentally friendly elements such as a unique Corten material, a type of steel that will both weather well and blend in with the natural surroundings without using any paint or other colour chemicals. The design was also recognised in part for its ability to provide Canadians of all ages and abilities with barrier-free access to view a piece of our national park in a way that will both challenge and educate visitors.

The Glacier Discovery Walk will be developed within the footprint set aside by Parks Canada to provide infrastructure and services for visitors. A full description of the project and the environmental assessment can be found at www.glacierdiscoverywalk.ca

TOP PHOTO: Artist rendering from www.glacierdiscoverywalk.ca

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