If you’ve wanted to visit a provincial park, Saturday is the day to do it.
July 16 marks Canada’s Parks Day, which celebrates provincial and federal green spaces.
Tammy Scott-Wallace, New Brunswick’s minister of tourism, heritage and culture, said the day is a perfect opportunity for families to come together.
“We have a lot of new things to offer when it comes to accessibility and bicycle trails and many features that maybe people haven’t had an opportunity to explore,” said Scott-Wallace in a phone interview.
“It really is just a recognition day for our parks, but also a time to celebrate and appreciate how fortunate we are to live where we do and to have access to these beautiful spaces in our communities.”
Scott-Wallace said COVID-19 health rules may have halted travel plans, but it sparked a renewed love for the outdoors. According to government statistics, park visitation is strong and campsite night bookings are on pace for a record year.
Out of the top five parks in 2021, Parlee Beach topped the list with around 360,000 visitors, double from previous years. Mactaquac came in second place at 143,000 visitors and Hopewell Rocks saw 113,000.
“Last summer, we saw an incredible number of campers out, but we’re surpassing that even this year … and that is very exciting to see,” she said.
“People are so much more in tune with nature and they’re really enjoying the opportunities. Whether it’s in their own backyard or in our provincial parks, people are just being more active as families and are taking every opportunity to visit and explore and enjoy quality time outdoors.”
As for the minister’s plans for Canada’s Parks Day, Scott-Wallace said she will tour several provincial parks, including the Fundy Trail Parkway.
She mentioned residents can expect family-friendly activities, such as a seashore exploration at New River Beach, a music festival at Hopewell Rocks and an adrenaline Bike Fest at Sugarloaf Park.
“There really are so many activities happening … so I will definitely be busy exploring and enjoying all that National Parks Day has to offer,’ said Scott-Wallace.
