What is PaRQ?

L’Association des parcs régionaux du Québec (PaRQ) is a non-profit organism grouping many regional parks across Québec.

PaRQ is a strong, dynamic and recognized network of nature parks with a recreational tourism vocation, which develops the quality and diversity of the visitor experience and which promotes a distinctive brand image adhering to the principles of sustainable development.

Their mission is to regroup, represent and promote the Québec’s regional parks as places to practice outdoor recreation and accessible recreationalplaces, in order to favorise good health habitudes via diverse quality experiences, in a secure situation.

The PaRQ accreditation

Regional parks are already contributing to current social changes towards healthy and active lifestyles, because in Québec’s regional parks, we move! Sector managers have expressed their desire to organize themselves to further structure the outdoor offering by mobilizing leaders, defining best practices, accessibility and quality of the experience, and ensuring concerted promotion that highlights the outdoors in these remarkable regional territories.

By obtaining accreditation, Éco-Odyssée demonstrates its professionalism, the quality of its regional park as well as the quality of the outdoor experience and activities offered in its park. It also demonstrates the quality of risk management on its territory.

Éco-Odyssée is proud to promote, through rigorous operating standards, the benefits to the health and well-being of the local, regional and provincial Québec population, through its range of outdoor activities and the accessibility of its territory.

Ecotourism

When Éco-Odyssée opened its doors in 2007, founder Michel Leclair had one idea in mind: it is when we learn about something that we understand the importance of protecting it. When we apply it to nature, this statement takes on its full meaning. That is why Éco-Odyssée wants to offer original and fun activities that include an element of education and interpretation of nature. At a time when climate change threatens our environment, Éco-Odyssée is proud to enable the development of a healthier relationship between humans and the environment.

Here are some examples of actions related to sustainable development put forward by the park:

Our company encourages its visitors to adopt eco-responsible actions when practicing their outdoor activities.
Our company highlights the human potential of the region, working primarily with local residents, but also the natural potential by allowing people to contemplate landscapes, fauna and flora in environmentally friendly activities.
We respect fauna and flora staying on trails when hiking and water adventures.
Our business supports the local economy by promoting Wakefield area tourism activities to visitors and by offering local craft products in our shop.
Our company helps create jobs, promotes local benefits and reduces pollution by employing mainly local human resources.
Our company encourages carpooling, both for its employees and its visitors.
Our company contributes to preserving heritage by educating its visitors, among other things, about local flora and fauna and the importance of protecting it.