Visitors to the Fortress of Louisbourg can now park on site thanks to a new parking lot, but not everyone is happy about it.
An archeologist who has spent more than 25 years working at the fortress says the parking lot takes away from the 18th century experience at the national historic site.
“It’s such a step backwards. This is not a standard practice in any outdoor museum or any sort of historical landscape that you’re trying to preserve or present to the public,” says Andree Crepeau.
Parks Canada says the new lot will accommodate the move of aging offices, currently located offsite, onto the historic property. They also say the new space will remove the barrier between visitors and the experience.
“Visitors like to park close to the experience. That’s one of the things we’ve heard over the years, especially those who have accessibility issues,” says visitor experience co-ordinator Lester Marchand.
The plan is to start moving administration workers and their vehicles on site by 2016, but for now the space will be used to accommodate tourists.
“I think that people should be able to access the site,” says visitor Diane Waldbillig. “They should be able to get in and walk right up, yes.”
“I’ve never thought about it. I’ve visited other historical sites and there are cars nearby,” says visitor Karen Bertram.
But Crapeau says the modern-day vehicle will stand out in the middle of the 300-year-old site and feels there’s room in other areas where the lot should have been constructed.
“To have cars drive back and forth while they’re visiting isn’t part of a premiere experience, and Louisbourg is a premiere site.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
