A look at the new viewing platform at Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park. (Photo via Tourism Wells Gray)

A new accessible viewing platform at Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park is now open to the public.

Claire Hanna, the Executive Director of Tourism Wells Gray, says the new platform – which was built at a cost of roughly $2-million – will allow people of all ages and abilities to visit the popular tourist attraction near Clearwater.

“You can literally roll from the parking lot onto the viewing platform with no worry about stairs or issues with inclines or anything like that,” Hanna said, on NL Mornings. “It is open to everyone regardless of their mobility.”

“And in my opinion, because its slightly higher than the previous platform, you get a better view.”

Helmcken Falls was closed to visitors in May and June to allow construction work to take place with “limited access” over the past month.

Hanna says along with the new viewing platform, the area near Helmcken Falls now has fully accessible washrooms, resurfaced pathways from the parking lot, as well as new picnic tables and benches with ample space for mobility aids.

“Inclusion should be something that is on the top of mind for anyone with any new construction and so BC Parks thankfully had this at the forefront of all their future projects including this one,” Hanna said.

“I don’t people that use mobility aids or have any mobility concerns should be impacted. The same goes for parents with strollers. It just makes like so much easier. It gives you so many more options so that more people can feel like they can get out an explore.”

BC Parks is planning to build a similar accessible viewing platform at nearby Spahats Falls in the spring of next year.

“BC Parks have definitely not been shy about discussing their dedication to inclusion so that [attractions are] accessible to anyone to enjoy,” Hanna added.