Thomas Raddall Provincial Park. (Tourism Nova Scotia)
Campsite bookings at provincial parks in Nova Scotia are now open.
Reservations for parks in the western part of the province opened on Wednesday.
Campers can book spots at Thomas Raddall Provincial Park in Port Joli, Rissers Beach, The Islands in Shelburne, Blomidon, Ellenwood Lake in Deerfield or Valleyview in Bridgetown.
Reservations for other areas of the province, including the Eastern Shore and Cape Breton open on Thursday and Friday.
You can book a spot by calling 1-888-544-3434 or online at parks.novascotia.ca.
Carters Beach. Photo from Nova Scotia Provincial Parks Facebook page
The Nova Scotia government has begun work to turn Carters Beach into a provincial park. That means visitors to the popular Queens County destination will likely have more places to park this summer.
But they may have to seek out other beaches nearby depending on the progress of the project.
The province announced in November that it would designate Carters Beach a provincial park. The designation also includes several islands just off shore. Carters Beach Provincial Park will cover about 97 hectares and include the Spectacle Islands, Jackies Island and others.
The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables is spending about $2 million on the project, which includes two new paved parking lots, garbage facilities, signage and accessible outhouses.
It also includes a trail from the new parking lot down to the beach. That trail will be about 500 metres long and is planned to have a gentle slope and made of compacted crusher dust to make it easier to navigate.
Sandra Fraser, a parks promotion officer with the department, said Wednesday that the department hopes to have the parking lots finished by July. But the overall project end date is June 2025.
“Work is underway now to build a new parking lot off the Central Port Mouton Road and that parking lot is going to have roughly 75 parking spaces, including some accessible parking space.
“On the Carters Beach Road, the existing parking lot there is getting some improvements so the parking there will be a bit better defined. So there will be roughly 18 spots down there including some accessible spots.”
Work has begun on Carters Beach Provincial Park. A new parking lot on Central Port Mouton Road will hold up to 75 cars. And another parking lot on Carters Beach Road will hold 18 cars. (Rick Conrad)
Fraser said work is on hold right now because of spring weight restrictions, but it will soon resume.
“We’re trying to get as much done as possible before the peak of the summer. But since the timeline is still 2025, there could be some work going on.
“Definitely want to be much ahead of that. The goal is to get the parking lot done before July this year. But it may take longer to add some of the extra parts, the toilets and just finishing those pieces.”
Fraser said that beachgoers this summer should keep an eye on the department’s parks website and its social media channels before packing for the beach.
She said there are still other great beaches in the area for people to enjoy, such as Summerville Beach or Thomas Raddall Provincial Park.
“There’s so many beautiful beaches in Queens County. So lots of place to go.”
Area residents have been frustrated over the years as Carters Beach became a hugely popular destination. The small parking area at the end of Carters Beach Road was barely big enough for a few cars. So visitors lined both sides of the narrow road, regularly blocking people’s access to their driveways and making it difficult to get in and out of the area.
Residents also complained about garbage and human waste being left on the beach and among the sensitive dunes.
Fraser said the department held an information session with the community in November 2022.
When the work is finished, Fraser says the department hopes it will address residents’ concerns.
“I think this added infrastructure will support people enjoying the beach without leaving as much impact.”
Screen shot of the path Hurricane Fiona will take as it approaches Nova Scotia. From Environment Canada web page
Department of Natural Resources and Parks Canada officials are taking no chances despite expectations Hurricane Fiona will be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it makes landfall in Nova Scotia,
As Hurricane Fiona bares down on Nova Scotia officials with Parks Canada have decided to temporarily close Kejimkujik Park effective at noon Friday, September 23.
Anyone camping or visiting the site is being asked to leave and no one will be permitted to enter after that time.
The measures include the entire park and historic site as well as Kejimkujik Seaside in Port Joli.
Guests with bookings between Sep 23- 26 will be contacted, their reservations cancelled, and fees fully refunded.
To ensure the safety of all visitors Parks Canada officials say the closure will remain in place until conditions are safe.
The public will be updated on park conditions again on Tuesday, September 27 at noon.
Later Thursday morning the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources followed suit and announced all provincial parks would be closing Friday at noon as well.
Parks will be reopened once officials have assessed any damage and addressed safety concerns.
As of Thursday morning, Environment Canada predicts Hurricane Fiona will transform into a post tropical storm bringing very heavy rain and strong to severe wind gusts beginning Friday afternoon with the heaviest rain and wind peaking overnight into Saturday.
They are advising the public the storm has the potential to produce severe and damaging wind gusts, very high waves and coastal storm surge, and intense rainfall.
Officials from the province’s Emergency Management Office are urging all Nova Scotians to monitor local weather forecasts and be ready for the storm’s arrival by ensuring they have enough food and water for 72 hours and preparing their storm kits.
The basic checklist includes:
— having enough food and water for 72 hours
— monitoring local media outlets for updates
— securing gates, doors and windows
— moving yard furniture and securing trash cans, hanging plants and anything that can be picked up by wind
— checking radio batteries
— filling vehicles with gas and parking them away from trees
— keeping pets inside
— moving any type of watercraft to high ground
— ensuring personal and family safety
— checking on neighbours
— not leaving candles unattended.