Provincial Parks Closed for the Season

All provincial camping and day-use parks operated by the Department of Natural Resources will be closed for the season as of Monday, Oct. 13.

Provincial parks located in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and Colchester County - areas hit hardest by Hurricane Juan - are already closed for the season. The department asks that people not enter parks in these areas. Off-season access is often accommodated, however, unsafe conditions currently exist.

"This is a matter of public safety in HRM and Colchester County. Downed power lines, damaged boardwalks, and unstable trees in these parks pose a threat to the public and clean up is expected to take time," said Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt. "Our parks are being assessed to ensure any safety issues are identified and to determine the extent of damage to our facilities. We ask everyone to please respect the closed signs as they are in the interest of public safety."

Although the Wildlife Park in Shubenacadie suffered some damage, it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Wednesday, Oct. 15. As of Saturday, Oct. 18, the park will only be open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As a result of damage caused by the hurricane, some Parks are for People programs scheduled for the month of October have been modified or cancelled because of safety concerns in provincial parks:

Friday, Oct. 10 - Harvest Moon Walk on the Salt Marsh Trail, Halifax Regional Municipality will be held at 7 p.m. on various other trails in the area that are safe for users. For more information contact Ruth Jardine at 902-435-5950.

Saturday, Oct. 11 - 20th Anniversary 5-km Walk at Mount Uniacke Estate Museum Park, Hants County, will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on trails that were not damaged. Contact Sue Banks for more information at 902-443-0365.

Saturday, Oct. 18 - Discover Long Lake Provincial Park Hike, Halifax Regional Municipality has been cancelled.

• Fall Colours Walks (the Hike the Wetlands Trail hike in the morning and the Hike the Red Spruce trail in the afternoon) at Mount Uniacke Estate Museum Park, Hants County, have been cancelled.

Sunday, Oct. 19 - Fall Foliage Tour on McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park, Halifax Regional Municipality has been cancelled.