Greetings Duck Mountain Provincial Park Cottage Owners! After a long cold winter, we still have some of snow build up in the park. Depending on the weather, water may not be up and running to the sub-divisions by the May long weekend.

With the abundant snowfall at the beginning of November, we were able to get an early start on building an even larger snow maze than the one we had last year. Once again, it was very well received by the public and attracted many park visitors. Despite cold temperatures during the winter months, the park was very busy with people taking advantage of the many winter activities the park had to offer.

Below are a few changes/updates that cottagers can expect for the upcoming year.

Below is a link to the 2023 Water Quality Report for Duck Mountain Provincial Park.

Cottage lessees may pick up their 2023-24 transferable park specific entry permits from the park office in which their cottage is located beginning May 15. Once cottage lessees have retrieved their permits, they are considered received and no further permits will be re-issued. If additional permits are required, cottage lessees may purchase a 2023-24 transferrable Annual Park Entry Permit from any provincial park office in Saskatchewan. The two issued transferrable Park Specific Entry Permits are associated with the lease and not the person; therefore, when transferring a lease please ensure these park specific passes are also transferred to the new lease owner as additional ones will not be issued.

Please remember vehicles within provincial parks are required to always display a valid entry permit throughout the year.

Anyone picking up Annual Park Entry Permits associated with a cottage property at a provincial park must:

• Be named on the provincial park cottage lease agreement.
• Update contact information with park official.
• Provide personal identification.
• Sign for the permits.

As in previous years, where non-compliance issues remain, Annual Park Entry Permits may be withheld by the Ministry until outstanding non-compliant issues have been resolved. Examples of this are (but not limited to): lease fee arrears, expired lease, pending assignment of lease (sale) or unresolved estate (one lessee deceased). If any of these circumstances apply to you, please contact the park office for assistance. These permits will be held in Regina - the Regina office will advance these assigned permits once compliance has been reached.

The Saskatchewan Senior Annual Transferrable passes will be available at the Park Administration office for pick up.

Construction of a new service centre in the Poplar Campground has been completed and will open to the public at the end of May.

We will be coming through the subdivisions to do the organic, burnable material pick-up July 4 and 5, 2023. We ask that only branches, grass, leaves, and clean wood be placed on piles in either the back alley (for cottages that have back-alley access) or in front (for cottages without back-alley access). Please leave room for our equipment to have easy access to piles.

After a very successful season in 2022, Sask. Aquatic Adventures will once again be installing and operating the inflatable water park at Ministik Beach, it should be operational prior to the end of June.

The Sporting Equipment exchange program, which operates from the Administrative Office, will continue this summer. We have everything you may need for a game of softball, basketball, volleyball, disc golf, pickle ball and tennis. The most popular pieces of equipment in 2022 were the disc golf sets which have become increasingly popular in the past two years.

Our Park Interpreters have created some wonderful Discovery Packages which will be available through the exchange program, in addition to take-home Activity Booklets. Pack themes include geo-caching, bird watching, and general hiking. Each self-guided pack and contains the necessary tools and resources to complete the activity. These packs will be available at the Park Administration Office in time for the May long weekend.

As the weather improves and the snow melt starts, a road ban will be in effect until May 29. Signage is placed around the park to indicate where the road bans are taking place.

In 2021, just down from the camp kitchen at the ball diamond area, a dog beach was developed where dog owners can take their dogs for a swim and enjoy a romp in the off-leash dog park within the ball diamond area. We do, however, ask any dog owners using the dog beach and off-leash park please clean up after your pet.

With the increase in invasive species testing and continued negative results in our lake and the surrounding lakes in Manitoba, the Ministry of Environment has lifted the testing requirements for Madge Lake. With that being said, we still recommend that if you would like an inspection done on your boat, please contact the park office and we will arrange to have someone come and inspect your boat. Remember, Drain and Dry! Let's continue to do our part and preserve the pristine waters of Madge Lake.

This year an Accessible Day Use area is being created and will be located beside the current Day Use area behind the Park Administration Office. Crews plan to continue working on the area as soon as weather conditions allow, and we are anticipating the area will be completed in time for enjoyment this summer season.

Donations can be made online or in-park to specific areas of the park system customers feel passionate about. Your donation can directly help enhance and preserve our provincial parks long into the future. The generosity of your donation will help fund innovations and new experiences while supporting education and stewardship, making you a part of the history and the future of Saskatchewan Provincial Parks. To learn more and donate, visit saskparks.com/donate

Please ensure the Park Administration Office has your most recent email address and contact information as all correspondence from the park will be communicated via email.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Visitors Reception Centre (Administration Office) at 306-542-5500. (You may also access additional cottaging information from the Ministry website: www.saskatchewan.ca/cottaging).

Respectfully yours,