Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are offering visitors more than just a campsite this summer, with several new businesses rolling out experiences that range from yoga to guided birding tours and wellness retreats. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport has launched a new health and wellness initiative this year, partnering with local operators to fill gaps in visitor services. “We’re really excited about our new businesses at Sask. Parks,” said Brennan Rumancik, park business event coordinator with the ministry. Rumancik said the push for more health and wellness options came after visitors asked for more things to do in the parks. “That’s why we started this initiative this year,” Rumancik added. At Blackstrap Provincial Park, Cheryl Kish is bringing her yoga practice outdoors, offering Hatha (centred around posture and breathing) and Yin (focused on long passive holds and joint flexibility) sessions to both adults and children. “It’s about being able to liberate your mind from all the stresses of the day and the thoughts that happen and all those inside things that come up as well,” Kish said. She said practicing outside adds something you just can not get in a studio. “This is just kind of a way that we can enjoy nature but also enjoy the practice as well for what it has to offer,” she said. “Feeling the sun on your skin, hearing the birds in the background, or kids playing and laughing. It really adds and allows you to kind of find that presence in another sense.” The park experience is also expanding for wildlife lovers. Jenn Smith Nelson of The Wild View tour guide service is leading birding and nature tours through parks like Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and through private bookings as well. “I created the Wild View to try and get people outdoors and curious about nature and birds and wildlife,” Nelson said. “As Saskatchewan’s so rich and there’s so much to offer here.” She said her tours are more than just ticking boxes of birds that are on a list. “One of my favorite parts about running tours is helping people, not just see the birds. Like, that’s always great, but really to see nature differently,” she said. At Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park, Marshall Morgan and his wife Jordan Morgan of Lugn & Co. are providing a new wellness experience that offers sauna sessions and cold plunges based on the hot/cold/rest thermal cycle. Marshall said the space also gives people a place to rest and relax as well as to connect with their family and friends. He said the location was a big part of the draw. “The opportunity to have a space out here for people close to Regina [and] also the surrounding communities here, we just thought it was a great fit,” he said. Beyond wellness and nature tours, the new partnerships include recreation and learning opportunities across the provincial park system. In addition to these new businesses, parkgoers can enjoy the outdoors with other new businesses as well. Pilates, canoe polo, adventure fitness, inflatable rentals, astronomy and photography throughout Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are available for the summer. Visitors can find more information about these new businesses and other activities at saskparks.com.
