2024 summer visitor season on PEI kicks off

eAwazLifestyle

Charlottetown – Parks Canada administered sites on PEI are iconic destinations where Canadians and visitors can connect with history and discover nature. Parks Canada is ready to welcome local residents and visitors for another season

In PEI National Park, entry gates, beaches, day use areas, trails and washroom facilities will be open for the public to enjoy as of June 5. The Interpretation Centre in Greenwich will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New in 2024, Parks Canada will be reopening the following facilities and visitor experience opportunities:

  • A rejuvenated visitor experience at Stanhope Beach, featuring a refreshed beach complex, including a newly constructed boardwalk with access ramps, beach toy library and the return of accessibility features including mobility mats and reservable beach and buoyant wheelchairs;
  • A newly constructed lookout platform and series of interpretive panels at Oceanview that provide an opportunity to learn more about the natural and cultural history of PEI’s coastal ecosystem;
  • The extension of the Gulf Shore Way multi-use trail to Robinsons Island, which will open for hikers and cyclists. Visitors can now traverse the full length of the central section of the park – from Robinsons Island all the way to Dalvay – separated from motorized vehicles. The multi-use trails at Robinsons Island are now open for visitors.

The first night for camping in Cavendish and Stanhope campgrounds will be June 11. Reservations for campsites, oTENTiks and bunkies can be made by visiting reservation.pc.gc.ca or by calling 1-877-737-3783. Campers this year can expect:

  • A new camping loop at Cavendish Campground – this tents-only and generator-free camping loop is a great opportunity to connect with nature and features a modern, central, accessible and gender-neutral washroom facility.
  • Two new ‘Bunkie’ roofed accommodations – one will be located at Stanhope Campground and one at Cavendish Campground. Each Bunkie includes one queen mattress bed, a trundle bed, and a double mattress loft – another way for campers to fully relax and unwind without the need to pack extra gear.

Parks Canada now administers 135 acres of coastal land in the French River-Park Corner area of PEI. The property borders on the mouth of New London Bay and features sandy beach, dunes and agricultural land. This year, Parks Canada will focus on the environmental protection of the area by educating beach users about sand dune conservation and other national park regulations.

Green Gables Heritage Place, including the grounds, trails, visitor centre and iconic Green Gables farmhouse are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily interpretive programming begins July 1 and runs through Labour Day. This year also marks what would have been the 150th birthday of celebrated Canadian author, L.M. Montgomery. For details and updates visit parkscanada.ca/greengables.

The grounds and trails at Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site are open for visitors to explore. The day use washrooms will be open 7 days a week beginning June 10. The visitor reception centre will be open Friday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning July 1. A new 16-minute video in English, French and Mi’kmaw is available for viewing at the visitor centre, as well as new outdoor interpretive panels that chronicle the woven stories of the Indigenous, French, Acadian and British cultures that continue to call this land home. For more information visit parkscanada.ca/skmaqn.

Parks Canada-PEI staff are looking forward to welcoming neighbours, local Islanders, first-time visitors, and long-time visitors alike for a season of learning, discovering and unforgettable memory making.