A Few Safety Tips

  • Please plan and address the following check list prior to and during your recreation activity.
  • Let someone know your planned recreation activity.
  • Consider bringing a day pack and first aid kit with you. Always bring drinking water and proper clothing and foot wear for trail and weather conditions.
  • Bring a mobile phone with you, and In case of a medical emergency have your contact phone numbers with you or dial Emergency 911 direct to call for help. Prepare to provide them with a description of your surroundings and a GPS location.
  • Help keep nature healthy by preventing invasive species like Creeping Bell Flower, Baby’s Breath, and Downy Brome Grass. Familiarize yourself with noxious weeds and control these plants in your home properties. Ensure seeds are not carried with you or into your car or truck, or recreation transportation on items such as footwear, bikes, and watercraft. Check to see your pet’s hair is also free of invasive seeds. For more information see the Alberta Invasive Species Council website.
  • Please stay on the designated trails.
  • Be aware that some plants may be poisonous to humans and pets. Some plants like Stinging Nettle can cause severe skin irritations and rashes. Invasive weeds like Leafy Spurge may also cause skin irritation, and Common Buckthorn berries, leaves, and bark can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. There are a few plants like cactus which have spines that can work their way into your skin and cause injury. Get to know and avoid plants and plant parts that are poisonous and injurious to your health or skin. A good resource to find out more is France Royer and Richard Dickenson. Plants of Alberta. 2007. Lone Pine Publishing, Edmonton. 527 p.
  • Always park in the designated areas and on gravel, asphalt or concrete. Avoid parking on native grasslands and riparian areas. Disturbance will attract invasive species to establish and spread, thus reducing nature’s biodiversity.
  • Help keep our Scenic Views healthy. Ensure you pack out all your own garbage and waste. This includes taking any masks or pet waste to the nearest container.
  • Please do not smoke in native grasslands and other outdoor recreation areas. This creates a fire risk, which is dangerous not only to the environment, but to the Medicine Hat community.