Why Parks Canada Puts Red Chairs in Beautiful Places
Key Vocabulary
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adirondack chair | A wide outdoor chair with a high back and large armrests. | We sat in an Adirondack chair beside the lake. |
| scenic | Having beautiful natural views. | The chairs are placed in scenic locations. |
| trail | A path used for walking or hiking. | We followed the forest trail for an hour. |
| recycled | Made from material that has been used before. | The chairs are made from recycled plastic. |
| protected place | An area cared for because its nature or history is important. | National parks are protected places. |
Article
You walk along a trail in Canada. There are trees, mountains or water around you. Then you see something very bright: two red chairs waiting for you.
The chairs are part of a Parks Canada program. Today, more than 400 red Adirondack chairs can be found in beautiful Parks Canada locations across the country. They are placed there so visitors can stop, sit and enjoy the view. [1]
The idea began in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011. Staff placed 18 sets of chairs in beautiful places that were not always the most famous tourist spots. [1]
People liked the idea. They sat in the chairs, took photographs and shared their pictures. Soon, red chairs began to appear at more national parks and historic sites across Canada.
Some chairs are easy to find. Others require a walk or hike. At Gros Morne, visitors can find them beside trails, mountains, fjords and the Atlantic Ocean. [2]
The chairs are also designed for outdoor life. Parks Canada says its red Adirondack chairs are made from 100% recycled plastic that has been kept out of Canadian landfills. [2]
There is even a social-media tradition. Visitors can take a photograph and use the hashtag #ShareTheChair. A simple seat has become a small symbol of travelling through Canada's protected places. [3]
The idea is wonderfully simple: walk somewhere beautiful, find two red chairs and stop moving for a while. In a world where travellers often rush to the next attraction, the chairs quietly suggest a different plan: sit down and look.
Discussion Questions
- Where would you put a pair of red chairs in your country?
- What kind of view makes you want to stop and sit for a long time?
- How can a simple object make a tourist place more memorable?
- What small symbol represents nature or travel in your country?
- When you travel, do you prefer to visit many places or spend more time in one place, and why?
References
- Parks Canada, "Parks Canada Red Chairs."
- Parks Canada, "Find Your Favorite Red Chairs - Gros Morne National Park."
- Parks Canada, "Red Chairs - Riel House National Historic Site."