Keji Opening Monday For Daytrips
Kejimkujik
Beginning Monday, people can once again roam the trails and waterways of Kejimkujik and Keji Seaside Adjunct.
Like so many other services, the national park has been closed as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.
Kejimkujik will open June 1 for day trips to hikers, paddlers and anglers.
Jonathan Sheppard, superintendent at Keji says a lot of effort goes in to making the park ready for visitors.
“Opening a park is not just as simple as removing a gate. It’s about getting those services and facilities up and running. So, tradesfolks and our teams have been opening trails and putting boardwalks in and all that stuff. But when people come to the park they shouldn’t expect the kind of visit that they would have in other years.”
Picnic shelters and public washrooms will remain closed for the time being, but Sheppard assures visitors will have access to the “pit privies” or outhouses should nature call during their stay.
Sheppard says the park is following guidelines set out by provincial health officials to keep people safe and he hopes visitors will abide by those rules.
“It’s a questions of people understanding that when they’re on trails as a trail user, they respect social distancing when they’re on those trails and we’ll have some signs in place that will assist people with that”.
Keji will open six of the front country trails and three of the multi-use trails June 1.
Hiking, canoeing, kayaking and boating will be permitted, as will fishing, provided visitors have purchased a valid fishing license from one of the usual locations in Queens.
Sheppard says it’s important to reopen the park for people’s physical and mental health.
He says the park staff is encouraged by how eager the community is to return to the park.
“It’s humbling for us to see the outpouring of interest in getting back to a place like Kejimkujik because, obviously, it is so important to people and we really appreciate that and we miss having people here too. So we look forward to Monday.”
While Keji will welcome visitors for day trips, those wishing to camp will have to wait a little longer.
The park’s main camping area, Jeremy’s Bay will remain closed for the season as it undergoes planned infrastructure renovations.
Anyone who has booked in for backcountry camping this summer have had their reservations cancelled and money refunded.
Sheppard says Keji won’t begin accepting new reservations for backcountry camping until June 21 at the earliest, as they wait for instruction from the province on how to safely provide overnight stays.
Sheppard says they are taking a cautious and slow approach to reopening Keji in order to insure it is done in a safe manner.
Because this opening looks so much different than previous years, he encourages visitors to check with the Parks Canada Kejimkujik website before making plans.
“There they’ll find information on what’s opened and what’s closed and as that changes, the information on our website will be updated.”
You can link to the Kejimkujik page here.
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson