French Beach Park on Vancouver Island remains closed due to the presence of a food-conditioned bear, posing an immediate safety risk to visitors.
The went into effect on Wednesday, July 26th, until Sunday, July 30th, with hopes of reopening on Monday, July 31st, pending further monitoring by BC Parks.
The decision to close the park came after the bear managed to rip into three tents at the campground, with one of them being occupied at the time. To ensure the safety of visitors, the BC Conservation Officer Service promptly set up a trap to capture the bear.
Visitors who had made reservations during the affected period will be contacted and automatically refunded for the cancelled nights.
Campers who were already present at the campground were given a few hours to pack up and exit the area.
Unfortunately, China Beach and Goldstream Provincial Parks, both fully occupied, were unable to accommodate the displaced campers.
BC Parks said they recognize the inconvenience caused by the closure.
“BC Parks does not take these management decisions lightly and regrets the impact this closure has had on vacationers at this busy time. Visitor safety is of utmost importance in these potentially high-risk situations.”
Officials will continue to monitor the situation closely and reassess the possibility of reopening the park earlier than anticipated.
If the closure extends beyond July 30th, reservation holders will be notified and further refunds will be provided.
For now, visitors are urged to stay away from the area until the bear can be safely captured and relocated, allowing the park to reopen for everyone to enjoy.
If it’s possible and safe to open earlier, BC Parks said it may do so.
