Celebrate Annual Parks Day at PEI National Park

Fun for the entire family including the Great Island Sandcastle Competition at Brackley Beach


July 7, 2017                              Brackley, Prince Edward Island                                    Parks Canada Agency

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn more about our history. The Government is creating opportunities for Canadians to participate in a year-long celebration and to help shape the best that Canada can be in the future.

For Parks Day, why not enjoy Parks Canada places by taking part in some fun activities at PEI National Park on Saturday, July 15th?  Activities for this annual celebration include Yoga on the Beach and the Great Island Sandcastle competition. 

Parks Canada, in collaboration with Access Advisor PEI and the Spinal Cord Injury Association of PEI, is excited to launch the new accessibility mats at Stanhope Beach on Parks Day. These accessibility mats allow regular wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices to travel from the wooden boardwalk onto the sand and right down to the water’s edge. As part of the launch, there will be Yoga on the Beach, incorporating chair yoga, at 9:30 a.m. at Stanhope Beach. 

The theme of this year’s Great Island Sandcastle competition is “Canada 150”. Creativity counts and the panel of judges is looking forward to seeing sand creations of all shapes and sizes in this fun, family-friendly event. Registration for the Great Island Sandcastle Competition begins at 11:30 a.m. and judging will take place at 2:00 p.m. The announcement of the winners will follow at 3:00 p.m. Those interested in taking part can register as a group, individual, or family and prizes will be awarded for the best entries. Maurice Bernard, local artist, sand sculptor, and host of PEI National Park’s summer program “Sensational Sandcastles”, will be on-hand to offer helpful tips. To pre-register for the sandcastle competition, please send an email to pc.evenements-ipe.events-pei.pc@pc.gc.ca with the name and number of participants on your team, including contact information for the team captain. 

Another way for visitors to celebrate Parks Day is to take a break from the sun and sand to explore one of the many trails in PEI National Park. Canada’s national parks are gateways to nature, adventure, and discovery. Whether you are interested in sandcastle building, our interpretive activities or in a relaxing yoga session, there is something for everyone on Parks Day! 

Parks Canada is encouraging visitors to plan their trips and discover new and exciting destinations in 2017 by consulting Parks Canada’s website, or downloading the NEW Parks Canada Mobile App, for a list of hidden gems and other unique and memorable ways to celebrate Canada 150.