Neighbours have questions as P.E.I. National Park expands in French River area

Some people living along Prince Edward Island's North Shore say they were taken off guard by a recent announcement that P.E.I. National Park has expanded.

In early June, Parks Canada said it now administers an additional 135 acres along the coastline in the French River-Park Corner area that had previously been under the control of the L.M. Montgomery Land Trust.

"I never heard a thing about it until it was on the news," said Gareth MacLeod, who grew up in the area.

Parks Canada has already put up signage along nearby roads and pathways indicating that alcohol, drones, fires and camping are no longer permitted. There are also signs educating beachgoers about protecting the sand dunes in the area, and another that says: "No dogs between April 1 and October 15." 

"I understand that it's a policy right across the board, but it is a difficult one for dog owners," said resident Bruce Stewart. "There are just dozens of people who come down here on a regular basis, a daily basis, to walk their dogs on the beach." 

Stewart too was surprised when he heard the land was being taken over by Parks Canada.

"The whole idea of transitioning from the L.M. Trust to Parks Canada was just sprung on us," he said. "We had a letter, but that's not consultation."

The area had been owned since 2010 by the trust, which has been struggling to financially maintain it.

"Parks [Canada] has just more resources than we have, to make sure the land stays the way we want it to, and the way they want it to," said Bill Bishop, president of the L.M. Montgomery Land Trust.

Bishop said the land was gifted to Parks Canada in November 2023 after a two-year discussion. The province played a role too, helping with payments on the $1.6 million loan the trust took out to buy the land.

"The goal of the trust is the preservation of the land — and primarily an agricultural use. And so this was just an opportunity to make sure that that continued for a long, long time," Bishop said of the deal.

A statement to CBC News from P.E.I.'s Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade said the trust requested "one-time financial support" from the province in exchange for turning over the land to Parks Canada.

"This initiative will contribute to [the] government's commitment to conserving seven per cent of our total land base," the statement said.

"Recognizing the expertise of Parks Canada in land conservation and preservation, it is our understanding that they are engaging with residents and visitors to the area to inform them of changes they intend to implement with respect to beach and road access."