You’ll soon have to say goodbye to the 1960s benches and picnic tables that can be found across Canada’s national parks because Parks Canada is preparing for a whole new look.
The agency put out a tender for newly design furniture that will better suit the changing demands of visitors. This initiative is part of a larger project to improve park infrastructure across the board.
“Most of Parks Canada’s facilities with outdoor furniture were developed in the 1960s and 70s. During the past decades, the needs and expectations of our visitors have changed,” spokesperson Audrey Champagne told Metro News.
While they are looking for an update, the tender also stipulates that they don’t want to install any items that may detract or distract from the natural beauty of the parks.
“If a visitor notices furniture and amenities it should simply be to notice that they have everything they need,” reads the tender.
Beyond these don’ts, there is a long list of musts that potential designers need to contend with. According to Champagne, the items need to be “well-designed, aesthetically pleasing, useful, durable, functional, and low-maintenance…while meeting basic needs.”
The current plan is to have a set designed that each park can order from. Hopefully, this will ensure that visitors will be equipped with exactly what they need.
While the look of the 1960s and 70s-era amenities may loom large in many of our national parks memories, it’s nice to know that our parks are being thoughtfully cared for.
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