Summer at P.E.I. National Park comes with some upgrades — and a ban on pool inflatables
The P.E.I. National Park is set to welcome visitors for the 2025 summer season with some new infrastructure and cultural experiences, as well as strengthened safety measures — including a full ban on pool inflatables at its beaches.
At Stanhope Cape, Parks Canada has completed a $180,000 upgrade that includes 50 additional parking spaces and a new set of wooden stairs to channel people across the dunes to the beach.
"It gives a dedicated path to the beach... to make sure we're maintaining our good ecological integrity," said Joel McKinnon, who is the visitor services co-ordinator for the park.
Kim Gamble, the park's resource conservation manager, said all sand dunes in the park will continue to remain closed to foot traffic, with a minimum fine of $150 for violations.
"The park is in a very dynamic coastal ecosystem, and we rely on sand dunes for protection of inland lands and also, you know, habitat for some of the local wildlife here," she said.
It's been nearly three years since post-tropical storm Fiona hit the Island, demonstrating how fragile dunes can be. Yet Parks Canada staff have since seen how quickly they can grow back.
"We see a lot of regeneration of the dunes," Gamble said as she showed a visitor from CBC News an example. "You can see some of the vegetation growing up in front of the dunes, and that's what we call embryonic dunes, or baby dunes, and those are the building blocks of regenerating the dunes."
Parks Canada officials are continuously assessing dune conditions, identifying areas damaged by human activity and carrying out restoration efforts across the national park, she said.
Pool floaties banned
An important safety initiative this summer is a complete ban on pool floaties across all P.E.I. National Park beaches.
"Ever since 2019, we've seen 50 per cent of the rescues that our surf guards do are attributed to pool floaties that are meant to be in pools and not in open ocean environments," Gamble said.
To help educate visitors this year, the park has created a tool that outlines which items are permitted and which are not.
"What we want to make people aware of is that inflatables that are meant for pool use, such as inflatable mattresses, unicorn floaties,... inner tubes, are things that pose a great risk to being taken offshore by offshore winds," Gamble said.
"This ban does not include things like personal flotation devices, water wings, puddle jumpers, so as long as children wearing these devices are within arm reach of a parent. Those are welcome and encouraged for visitor safety."
Violating the ban on large inflatables is considered an offence under the Canada National Parks General Regulations, with a minimum fine of $150. Beaches will be monitored this year and in the future by surf guards, Parks Canada's compliance team and park wardens.
New program at Green Gables
Meanwhile, visitors to Green Gables Heritage Place can look forward to a new cultural experience based on the writings of famed Island author Lucy Maud Montgomery this summer.
Kassandra McKinnon, the interpretation co-ordinator at Green Gables, said a new art exhibit will feature local artist Susan Christensen, who will be painting on site in the visitor centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 3 until the end of October.
"She's going to be using Montgomery's poetry as inspiration for her paintings, and then her paintings will be followed by a literary response from a local author this year, starting with Deirdre Kessler," McKinnon said.
"Green Gables celebrates L.M. Montgomery and her national historic significance, and it's so interesting to see the ways that different artists with different methods of expression can take what Montgomery has already created and make it their own," she added. "And to celebrate a local artist is just a bonus."
The site will also offer a full slate of summer programming, including costumed interpreters, heritage gardening demonstrations, storytelling and musical performances during the peak season, she said.
McKinnon said there will be two open houses where the public can learn more about what to expect this season and meet some of the staff.
These will be held June 4 at the Stanhope Campground and June 5 at the Cavendish Campground.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
32nd Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival makes waves at Mooney's Bay
Ottawa's annual Dragon Boat Festival is taking place at Mooney's Bay this weekend. CTV's Camille Wilson caught up with some of the attendees. The annual Dragon Boat Festival is back for it's 32nd year in Ottawa. The event is the largest festival of its kind in North America, drawing teams from all over the world. This year's festival has about 145 teams with 72 cities participating. Along with teams all across Canada, paddlers competed in at least two 500 metre races at Mooney's Bay on Saturday. 'The community side is just incredible because it brings together all walks of life,' says John Brooman, CEO and president of the Tim Hortons Dragon Boat Festival. 'It doesn't matter whether you're a first-time paddler or if you're on the national team. People are just out here having a wonderful time. It raises a ton of money for charity,' It is one of the biggest sporting and entertainment events in the nation's capital and is part of a larger Chinese cultural tradition that goes back 2,400 years. 'I grew up with the Dragon Boat Festival as a kid in the UK and I really loved it,' said attendee Kyan Cheng. 'I really wanted to take my three-year-old son to experience it for the first time here. I've talked about it and it's part of our culture. He's just really loving it.' Ottawa Dragonboat Festival The Arctic Char Dragon Boat team from The Netherlands getting ready to compete. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa) Sandy Foote, captain of Fleet of Foote, says his team has participated in the event from the very beginning. 'This is our 32nd year at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. We come every year and have a lot of fun,' Foote said. 'It's our biggest festival that we do. We do seven festivals every year. This one is the best one.' The festival is raising more than $250,000 for charity this weekend and has raised more than $6 million over the years. The two-day celebration also includes exhibitors, food, a Breast Cancer Survivor Challenge, traditional flower ceremony and dance performances. 'It's great to see such big crowds out for this type of event,' said Chris Bell. 'Lots of big smiles on people's faces. It's been a good, good experience.' There is free admission to all the races and free parking at the Canada Post parking lot. Races are every 10 minutes and will run until Sunday.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Firefighters rescue occupants of sinking boat on Ottawa River
An Ottawa Fire Services water rescue boat is seen in this undated image. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) Firefighters rescued the occupants of a sinking boat on the Ottawa River Saturday afternoon. The Ottawa Fire Services say crews responded to the 2700 block of Cassels Street near Mud Lake at approximately 4:50 p.m. after a 911 caller reported to Gatineau firefighters that a boat had struck a rock shoal and was taking on water. There were three occupants aboard the vessel, Ottawa fire says. On arrival, crews found the boat had drifted through the rapids but was still afloat. A water rescue team was launched at the scene and everyone aboard was removed from the vessel by 5:06 p.m. Ottawa paramedics tell CTV News they were called to the incident but there were no reports of injuries.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Historic sailing vessels on display at Tall Ships Festival
Historic sailing vessels on display at Tall Ships Festival The Tall Ships Festival is back in Brockville this weekend, giving people a unique look at some of the world's most historic sailing vessels. CTV's Jack Richardson reports.
