Brightsand Lake Regional Park has been named Saskatchewan’s 2026 Park of the Year, marking the second time the popular Border City area destination has earned the provincial honour.
Read more: City of Lloydminster proposes new 40 km/h residential speed limit
The award was announced by the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association, which recognized Brightsand Lake for its investments in recreation, infrastructure, accessibility and visitor experience.
Association officials said the park was chosen from among regional parks across the province based on its continued commitment to improving facilities, supporting reconciliation efforts and enhancing accessibility for visitors.
Brightsand Lake previously won Park of the Year in 2015.
Major upgrades since first award
Since that first recognition, the park has completed several notable upgrades that helped it stand out this year.
Those include the addition of a disc golf course, paddleboard and kayak rentals, an accessible floating wheelchair, improvements to the trout pond, relocation of the trapper’s cabin and renovations to the shower house.
In a statement shared on social media, park officials said the award reflects their ongoing goal of creating a welcoming, clean and enjoyable destination for families, campers, day visitors and seasonal residents.
The park thanked staff, board members, volunteers, the golf club committee, Little Gem concession staff and the broader community for helping make the park a special place to visit.
Park officials also encouraged residents and visitors to congratulate members of the 2026 staff team who helped make the achievement possible.
Award presentation in October
The official award presentation will take place during the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association Fall Convention in Regina from Oct. 22 to 24.
Awards will be presented during the association’s annual banquet on Oct. 23 at the Atlas Hotel.
The association will also present its Park on the Move and Volunteer awards at the convention.
Brightsand Lake joins other regional parks in the area that have earned recognition for serving residents and visitors from both sides of the Border City.
The park’s accessibility improvements, including the floating wheelchair, align with broader provincial efforts to make Saskatchewan parks more inclusive for all visitors.
Read more: Lori Craven Memorial Ball Tournament marks 25 years in Lloydminster
