Provincial government closing Peace Arch Provincial Park due to overwhelming amount of visitors

Just over a month after it reopened to visitors, Peace Arch Provincial Park will once again close to the public.

The Government of BC announced that the closure is to address public safety and traffic concerns in neighbouring communities and it’ll take effect at 8 pm tonight.

The park was closed alongside all provincial parks on April 8 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but later reopened on May 14.

However, there have been concerns since then.

“Parking lots and local access roads have been overwhelmed with nearly twice the number of vehicles compared to peak days in the summer season, resulting in illegal parking,” says a government release.

“Attendance has doubled over the same period compared to last year, leading to an increase in pedestrians along roadways.”

The park has been a popular spot partially due to the ability of family members from Canada and the United States to reunite for a short visit at the border.

However, a new exemption to the Federal Quarantine Act is now allowing immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to enter Canada as long as they quarantine for 14 days on arrival.

BC Parks has consulted with the RCMP, border officials and neighbouring communities regarding the park’s status, but measures like signage, enforcement and a permanent gate have not helped.

As a result, Peace Arch Provincial Park will be closed until it’s deemed safe to reopen.