September 9, 2020 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Parks Canada Agency
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded Canadians of the importance of connecting with nature. Parks Canada places offer Canadians opportunities to connect with their natural and cultural heritage, from coast to coast to coast.
Today, Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced a federal investment of $1.76 million for Parks Canada sites on Prince Edward Island. This funding will support ongoing rehabilitation efforts following the impact of post-tropical storm Dorian at Green Gables Heritage Place and PEI National Park, including Cavendish Campground.
The Government of Canada will invest in trail and roadway repairs, as well as clean up in areas along trails at Green Gables Heritage Place and throughout PEI National Park. In Cavendish Campground, this investment will support forest restoration work, repairs to damaged infrastructure and removal of downed trees and debris. In addition, some campsites will be relocated to a new loop that will be built for un-serviced tenting sites in an area of the campground less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A new, off-grid roofed accommodation offer will be created at the campground as well. The realities of climate change on PEI's north shore are informing these developments to ensure the campground and infrastructure are resilient long into the future.
PEI National Park was heavily impacted by post-tropical storm Dorian in September 2019. Cavendish Campground is PEI National Park's largest campground, featuring over 200 sites, a supervised white sand beach, the popular Homestead Trail and many other amenities for visitors.
Parks Canada is a leader in conservation. The Agency is taking measures to ensure that sensitive plant species, cultural resources, and environmental features are protected while work to Cavendish Campground is taking place.
Parks Canada values the input of the First Nations and has engaged First Nations for feedback on all planned rehabilitation work at this site.
