Fiona damage: Repairs underway as P.E.I. National Park prepares to reopen for 2023 season
The Prince Edward Island National Park will reopen to visitors for the 2023 season, but people will notice dramatic changes to the shoreline and infrastructure because of damage from post-tropical storm Fiona.
Parks Canada held an information session Wednesday to update the public on the work they have completed since the storm ravaged the island’s coastline in September 2022.
Campgrounds and beaches are damaged -- some beyond repair – which had some concerned that visitors wouldn’t be able to access them. But officials said Wednesday that rebuilding should be mostly completed by the season opening.
However, the work is considerable and there may be some delays.
“We lost all of the beach accesses,” said Tara McNally MacPhee, visitor experience manager. “All of the beach accesses along the north shore were either swept away entirely, or compromised to the point that they were rendered unsafe.”
Temporary accesses are being built for this year, and many are intended to be replaced with more climate-resilient builds afterwards.
Some areas will remain off limits to visitors.
Beach access is currently permitted at two locations since the September storm -- Covehead Lighthouse Beach and North Rustico Beach. According to Parks Canada, they will allow more access to beaches once they complete repairs. Many of the beaches will have new stairs and entrance points.
As for sand dunes, many are gone and it will take years for them to regrow.
“Really see kind of a substantial dune rebuild, but from our understanding, and from past experience, it feels like it’s possible,” said Louis Charron, a climate change specialist.
Staff have had time to deal with the emotional toll that came with seeing the damage, and are now being trained to help get visitors through that impact.
“Our visitors who are coming from away, who haven’t seen it post-Fiona, we recognize that there’s going to be an emotional impact in them when they see these changes,” said McNally MacPhee.
One of the biggest changes is to Robinsons Island Road and trail system.
Waves and storm surges eroded portions of the causeway to the island. As a result, the road will be closed to vehicles. Visitors looking to access the trail system to the park will have to park at Brackley Beach and hike or cycle to the island – a distance of approximately 3.5 kilometres.
Both the Stanhope and Cavendish Campgrounds and the national historic sites administered by Parks Canada will reopen for the 2023 season.
However, the damage is significant at the Cavendish Campground. Ten sites have been decommissioned and a washroom facility remains under construction.
“Parks Canada is looking forward to welcoming visitors back and would like to thank team members locally and nationally for the phenomenal efforts that have made this reopening possible,” reads a news release from the national agency.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Norway, Ireland and Spain say they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move
Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state, in a historic but largely symbolic move that deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.
Thunderstorms with tornado risk in some areas in Ontario, snow elsewhere in Canada
Canadians can expect a mixed bag of weather, with forecasts warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow in some areas across western Canada.
NEW How to remove ticks and what to know about these bloodsuckers
Ticks are parasitic bloodsuckers, capable of spreading deadly disease, and they’re becoming increasingly common. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, two in five boycotting Loblaw: poll
Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling.
opinion Joe Biden uses bully pulpit to bully Donald Trump on debates
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
Barbie will make dolls to honour Venus Williams, Christine Sinclair and other athletes
Barbie dolls will honour Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair and tennis champion Venus Williams, plus seven other athletes as part of a project announced by Mattel on Wednesday.
Ontario mother loses $2,500 to text scammer pretending to be daughter
An Ontario mother lost $2,500 to a scammer pretending to be her daughter asking for help in late April.
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.