Safe Park Pilot Program
What is Safe Park?
Safe Park is a seasonal program that is designed to support individuals who are employed in our community and who reside in their vehicles. This year, the program is open to both individual participants and local businesses. Permits are issued to eligible participants through an application process, on a first-come, first-served basis. The 2022 program is now closed.
Overnight camping is not allowed within the Town of Canmore; unpermitted vehicles will be ticketed. Overnight camping on municipal lots, on residential streets, or in areas not designated for camping, is prohibited in Canmore.
Program Details
The 2022 program is now closed.
The Importance of Safe Park
The Safe Park pilot is informed by research completed by the Town of Canmore in 2019 in response to a significant increase in people camping in the parking lots surrounding Save-On-Foods and Elevation Place. This research found that some of our seasonal workforce chooses to live in campers or other converted vehicles. Council subsequently approved the piloting of the Safe Park program in 2019, 2020, and 2021, as a way to meet the needs of this specific group of residents to help sustain a seasonal workforce and support an inclusive and accessible community.
Background
In the summer of 2018, the Town of Canmore noticed that the number of individuals who live or camp in their vehicles increased significantly. Most apparent were the overnight parked vehicles behind Save-On-Foods and beside Elevation Place.
A seasonal outreach worker was hired in the spring of 2019 to work with individuals camping in the area to provide social support and to gather information on needs and demographics. Council heard the results of the data collected through the summer over two council meetings on Sept. 17 and Oct. 1 and approved the implementation of an overnight parking program pilot on Feb. 4, 2020. The full reports can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight camping is not allowed within the Town of Canmore; unpermitted vehicles will be ticketed. Overnight camping on municipal lots, on residential streets, or in areas not designated for camping, is prohibited in Canmore.
If you are on holidays, there are a number of provincial campgrounds nearby. Most can be booked 90 days in advance but for no longer than 14 consecutive days.
If you or someone you know is struggling with housing or affordability, please contact Canmore Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) to review potential options. FCSS does not provide housing or financial support, but staff are available to help navigate available community resources.
To speak with someone or book an appointment, call 403.609.3743 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Office location: Canmore Civic Centre, 902 - 7 Ave
FCSS office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed on statutory holidays).
Spring Creek RV Campground is a privately owned RV Park within the Town of Canmore, centrally located east of downtown. Long-term rentals are available. In summer, long-term campers must pay upfront for their entire stay. Some local businesses will rent a site for seasonal workers. Limited winter sites are available.
Exshaw Community Association Campsite is a volunteer-run, community campground within the municipality of Exshaw. The campground is operated as a first come-first served, campground.
There are also numerous provincial campgrounds nearby, but most can only be booked 90 days in advance and for no longer than 14 days.
We welcome all respectful and constructive feedback. Please send feedback to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with the subject line “Feedback”.
The Safe Park program supports individuals who are employed in the Bow Valley and living in their vehicle. If you or anyone you know is struggling with homelessness, please contact the Housing Evaluator at 403.996.0204.
