Keji Seaside Reopening, Campground Renos On Schedule

Keji Seaside will reopen Monday.

The park has been closed since June 2 because of a large number of bears on the site.

Jonathan Sheppard, Superintendent at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site says they observed a high density of bears in a relatively small area, with one count showing nine bears occupying a three-kilometer stretch of trail.

“In order to maintain a really good coexistence between people and wildlife we had to ultimately give the bears some space there.”

Sheppard says the bears arrive at Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct in spring because of the abundance of food sources such as seaweed, chutes and berries but they move off once food becomes more plentiful inland.

Parks Canada has observed the bears have left but Sheppard says it’s always good for visitors to remain bear aware.

He reminds anyone coming to the park to follow three simple rules: properly dispose of their garbage in the bear-proof bins provided, keep their pets on a leash at all times and if they do see a bear, call the number posted at the entrance to the trail and let Parks Canada officials know.

Sheppard also talked about the ongoing renovations at Jeremy’s Bay Campground at Keji’s main location, inland.

Installing new power, water and wastewater systems, treatment facilities and completely overhauling the washroom and shower facilities would not have been possible with campers in the park, so the decision was made last year to close down Jeremy’s Bay for the 2020 season.

“There are almost 400 campsites in this campground. So at full occupancy, the size of that campground is not that dissimilar from a small town you might find elsewhere in Nova Scotia.”

Keji’s old washroom preparing to come down. – Photo Credit: Parks Canada

Sheppard says despite some supply issues due to COVID-19, the work is on schedule and he expects the campground to reopen as planned next spring.

When it does, the washroom and shower facilities will look completely different to returning campers.

Gone are the segregated male and female spaces.

Sheppard says washrooms that were designed for travellers in the 1960s and 70s don’t meet the needs of campers today.

“The design behind these buildings is an open and lighter common area with closed rooms for water closets and for showers. So in fact, what you end up getting is a much more private experience than you would’ve in your previous designs for older washrooms. This suits families much better. It also suits people that identify in different parts of the gender spectrum and have different identities. It also helps with accessibility question for people who have physical limitations.”

Sheppard says Parks Canada is working towards more universal design standards and these updates put Kejimkujik at the forefront of that effort.

One of Keji’s new washroom/shower facilities. – Photo Credit: Parks Canada

While the renovations are underway, park officials are also working with local partners to devise a community development plan.

The North Queens Board of Trade recently received close to $50,000 in federal funding to help position Caledonia as the gateway to Keji.

Sheppard says he’s hoping together, they can use Kejimkujik’s draw to spark economic development in the area.

He says it’s shaping up to be a busy summer despite the shut down of Jeremy’s Bay campground.

People eager to get outside after being stuck indoors by COVID all spring are taking full advantage of the day use activities at the park.

Sheppard says the hiking trails are open, canoe and kayaks are available to rent and many people are keen to get into nature by booking the backcountry camping locations.

Follow these links to the Kejimkujik page and the camping booking portal.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson