Harper Government announces new investments in Prince Edward Island National Park and National Historic Sites

COVEHEAD BEACH (COVEHEAD WHARF), PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, PEI, July 29, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced infrastructure investments totalling $24 million in several Parks Canada projects across Prince Edward Island National Park, as well as at Green Gables Heritage Place and Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site.

This major investment includes substantial road resurfacing projects; repairs and rehabilitation work on the Covehead Bridge; and, work to protect the ecological integrity of the national park. Additionally, previously announced rehabilitation initiatives at Stanhope Campground will be further enhanced with the addition of several oTentiks; a Parks Canada exclusive that combines tent camping with the comfort of a cabin.

These projects are the result of an unprecedented investment by the Harper Government to support infrastructure work in our national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas. This investment represents the largest federal infrastructure plan in the 104-year history of Parks Canada, ensuring these cherished places are protected and secured for the future while also creating and protecting jobs and opportunities.

Quick Facts

• Prince Edward Island National Park is home to sand dunes, barrier islands and sandspits, beaches, sandstone cliffs, wetlands and forests. The park also features unique cultural resources; notably Green Gables Heritage Place, part of L. M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site, and Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site. Originally established by the French in 1720, Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site located in Rocky Point commemorates the first permanent European settlement on Prince Edward Island.    
• Prince Edward Island National Park welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors every year.  Last year, more than 21 million visits were made to Canada's national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
• Parks Canada is present in hundreds of communities across Canada and contributes approximately $3 billion dollars to the Canadian economy every year. Parks Canada's overall contribution to the Canadian economy is responsible for more than 40,000 jobs from coast to coast to coast.

Quotes

"The investments announced today will strengthen our local and regional partnerships and improve visitor experience at Prince Edward Island National Park, Green Gables Heritage Place and Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site. These investments help to create job opportunities, while encouraging adventure, recreation, learning, environmental stewardship, inspiration and self-renewal for our visitors."
- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont

Associated Links

National Conservation Plan

Parks Canada: www.parkscanada.gc.ca

Backgrounder
Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Investments
Grand total of infrastructure investments:	$24 M
Infrastructure projects:
Prince Edward Island National Park and National Historic Sites
Project descriptions:
Ecological Integrity in PEI National Park	$2.8 M
An ongoing project which began in 2010 aims to improve aspects of the coastal, forest and freshwater ecosystems in PEI National Park through decommissioning and removal of infrastructure and ecological restoration.  Future work includes restoration of Acadian forest elements in various locations including, the Brackley Day Use and Group Tenting Area and Robinsons Island, as well as a comprehensive site plan and ecological restoration of Cavendish Grove.
PEI National Park Water & Wastewater	$4.3 M
This project will improve water and wastewater systems in PEl National Park. These measures will maintain a reliable drinking water system for park visitors throughout the operational season.
PEI National Park - Covehead Bridge Repairs	$5.8 M
The purpose of this project is to rehabilitate the aging Covehead Bridge which connects PEI National Park between Brackley and Dalvay. The bridge is a multi span concrete structure which spans an active fishing and recreational harbour. Secondary updates to be addressed as part of the rehabilitation are the addition of a sidewalk on the south side that provides safer use for pedestrians and cyclists using the Gulf Shore Way multi-use trail.
PEI National Park - Renovations to Maintenance and Administrative Buildings	$1M
Upgrades to maintenance and administrative buildings will be conducted which are necessary to extend the useful life of the assets.
PEI National Park - Road Resurfacing Project	$6 M
This project will provide substantial improvements to road surfaces in PEI National Park so as to ensure a longer lifespan of these vital assets. Completion of this project will improve and upgrade site infrastructure which will have a positive impact on visitor experience.
PEI National Park & National Historic Sites -Boundary Maintenance	$248 K
Current boundary lines are unclear at many locations, leading to confusion by local residents and business owners. Re-establishing these boundaries will ensure authorized access points are used to enter PEI National Park and National Historic Sites. This will help us to better support visitor experience, while allowing us to better define and protect our land resources.
PEI National Park -Renovations to Public-Use Buildings and Other Public-Use Facilities	$2.1 M
To meet Parks Canada's camping standards, upgrades will be made in Cavendish and Stanhope campgrounds. Iconic destinations such as Greenwich and the Haunted Wood trail at Green Gables also require will receive upgrades, and trails throughout the field unit will be updated to ensure visitors are rewarded with positive and memorable experiences.
Rehabilitation of Cavendish Campground	$1.8 M
This project will initiate deferred maintenance at PEI National Parks' most popular campground. Some results will include; a renewed entrance and reception facility, renewed kitchen shelters, greater accessibility for users with disabilities and improved road conditions.
Site description:
Prince Edward Island National Park is home to sand dunes, barrier islands and sandspits, beaches, sandstone cliffs, wetlands and forests. The park also features unique cultural resources; notably Green Gables Heritage Place, also part of L. M. Montgomery's Cavendish National Historic Site, and Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site. Port-la-Joye--Fort Amherst National Historic Site located in Rocky Point is the site of the first European settlement in PEI. Province House NHS in Charlottetown is the site of the first meeting of the Fathers of Confederation, held during the Charlottetown Conference in 1864.
* Please note that the sum of individual project values may not equal the grand total indicated at the top of this document due to standard rounding errors.

SOURCE Parks Canada

Contacts: Jonathan Lefebvre, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Barbara MacDonald, External Relations Manager, PEI Field Unit, 902-672-6422; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 1-855-862-1812, www.twitter.com/parkscanada