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$700,000 Expansion
to Kejimkujik Adjunct Announced! by Vaughn
Mullen, Managing Editor April 23th, 1998 Port Mouton, N. S. - Beginning next month, the rugged and pristine Seaside Adjunct to Kejimkujik National Park will undergo a major expansion. The federal government initiative will see the creation of new trails, picnic shelters, washrooms, viewing decks and orientation areas designed to enhance the movement and enjoyment of hikers, birders and nature lovers across the province. The three-year $700,000 project was announced last night by Parks Canada officials at a community meeting in Port Mouton, Queens County. The 22 square kilometre Seaside Adjunct is located on the south shore of Nova Scotia, about 25 kilometres south-west of the town of Liverpool. The park is about 100 kilometres from the inland portion of Kejimkujik National Park in Annapolis County. The Seaside Adjunct is home to about 10 pairs of endangered piping plovers and is well-known for its unique vegetation, dramatic rock formations, secluded coves, spectacular beaches and rare plant life. Harry DeLong, Operational Superintendent of Kejimkujik National Park told the meeting there would be several phases to the development, involving both the St. Catherine's River and the South West Port Mouton portions of the adjunct. The first phase would cost about $500,000 over two years, and be restricted to the St. Catherine's River section of the park at Port Joli, Queens County. Mr. Delong explained that in May construction crews would begin the process of upgrading existing trails in the park (removing boardwalks, adding gravel surfaces and repairing eroding trails), creating a viewing deck, constructing washroom facilities and erecting additional highway signs. In the fall, the road to the park would be widened and the parking lot expanded to accommodate about 50 cars. Mr. DeLong noted that in 1999 two adjoining "loop" trails would be added to the park at the St Catherine's River entrance. The two trails would be a significant addition to the park and add about 3 hours of hiking to the total outdoor experience. The trails would also include the construction of a sheltered picnic area, a service centre and orientation kiosk. According to Mr. DeLong, the South West Port Mouton portion of the park expansion would represent the final phase of construction and be completed during the third year of the project. An "in and out", more primitive, hiking trial or footpath would be added (none exists now) as would associated facilities such as a service area, a sheltered picnic area, a viewing deck and orientation kiosk. A parking area would be constructed to accommodate about 30 vehicles. The superintendent pointed out that park personnel would be "very conscious" of the environmental sensitivity of the area during the expansion, and would be closely monitoring visitor activity at the park to avoid "overuse" of the facility. The Mayor of the Region of Queens, Christopher Clarke, said he was "excited" with expansion announcement. Mayor Clarke explained the new facilities will "make the Adjunct more accessible to more people ...and more manageable for older people."
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