Parks Canada administered land in French River - Park Corner
Prince Edward Island National Park
Click to enlarge - Parks Canada-administered land in French River/Park Corner A large parcel of land around French River is now administered by Parks Canada. This is a beautiful area composed of agricultural land, cliffs, and beaches located west of Cavendish, along the coast around New London Bay. We have been receiving lots of questions about this recent land acquisition and what it means for visitors to the area this summer.
If you have any questions, please contact us by email or telephone.
Telephone: 902-566-7050
Email: pnipe-peinp@pc.gc.ca
I heard that the beaches around French River are now part of the national park. Is this true?
Parks Canada now administers 135.34 acres in the French River area west of Cavendish at the entrance to the New London Bay. The land is located at the end of Cape Road near the New London lighthouse.
It includes land currently being leased for agriculture and a section of beach that is used for recreational purposes. The agricultural area is being actively farmed under an existing lease agreement. The public will still be able to access the recreational beach area.
Will I need to pay to access the beaches at French River now that they are administered by Parks Canada?
There will be no fee to access this area in 2024. Parks Canada’s focus will be on conservation and educating the public about Parks Canada’s rules and regulations as they apply to this parcel of land. This includes ensuring sand dune protection and the domestic animal ban is respected. Management of the land will be guided by the PEI National Park Management Plan. Parks Canada will be beginning the process of developing a new management plan for PEI National Park early next year. This process, which will involve public consultations, will help inform the future management approach for this area.
What does this mean for me, as a visitor?
You will still be able to access the beach as you have in the past and, as noted, there will not be any fee in 2024.
You will see signage posted to inform the public about the new park boundaries and existing regulations, including any necessary closures and the domestic animal ban on park beaches. This does mean that dogs will no longer be permitted on the beach between April 1 and October 15 as is the case in other national park beach areas. Dogs in other areas should be leashed at all times.
Parks Canada regulations for PEI National Park apply in this area, including the prohibition of campfires and the consumption of alcohol or cannabis.
You will see a staff presence. Park wardens and compliance staff will be on the ground throughout the season to educate the public about Parks Canada’s mandate and regulations and the Resource Conservation team will also be visible as they undertake ecological assessments and monitoring for species and risk and dune health.
What things will Parks Canada be addressing in this area?
This year, the focus will be on the ecological protection of the area. PEI National Park’s existing ecological integrity monitoring program will be extended to the lands so that we may learn more about the area’s ecosystems.
Natural resource protection including public education about Parks Canada’s mandate and regulations will be a high priority this season. This includes the importance of sand dune conservation, the protection of species at risk, beach safety and human-wildlife interaction.
Will visitors and residents have a chance to provide feedback on the future management of this area?
As with all lands administered by Parks Canada across the country, management of the area will be guided by the PEI National Park Management Plan. Parks Canada will be beginning the process of developing a new management plan for PEI National Park early next year. This process will involve public consultation. During these public consultations in winter 2025, Parks Canada will gather feedback which will be taken into consideration for this area.
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