Government of Canada Invests in Point Pelee National Park

Canada’s southernmost park restores fragile habitat and renews iconic day use areas for its centennial year

March 26, 2018                                Point Pelee, Ontario                    Parks Canada Agency

Parks Canada is responsible for protecting and presenting nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. The Government is committed to preserving our national parks while making them more accessible, so that more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, can connect with nature.

The Government of Canada is investing approximately $5.5 million in federal infrastructure funding, while celebrating several completed infrastructure projects, in Point Pelee National Park. The announcement was made today by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, as Canada’s southernmost park prepares for its 100th anniversary and a year-long celebration of bringing people and nature together.

This federal infrastructure funding will support the renewal of two popular day use areas – the Marsh Boardwalk and the Tip area – providing new and improved visitor experiences. The tower and stationary section of the marsh boardwalk will be refreshed, and a brand new observation tower will be erected near the Tip to provide an all-new visitor experience of exceptional views of this iconic area of the park.

Similar investment work has recently been completed on a number of other infrastructure projects that will improve visitor experience, while achieving several conservation gains. Repairs to the park’s break wall will help to renew shoreline protection by replenishing the sand along the western shore and protecting fragile habitat, as well as stabilizing the trail that connects visitors to the most southern tip of mainland Canada. Improvements to the park’s Northwest Beach area is also now complete. In addition to ensuring the restoration of the fragile dune habitat, this project improved services for visitors, including families, with renewed washroom and change facilities, a natural playground, and a new picnic shelter. Shoreline protection structures along the western shoreline of Point Pelee National Park have also been rehabilitated.

By encouraging Canadians to visit their national parks and historical places, and providing them with the information and means to enjoy them, Parks Canada allows more Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn about our heritage.

Millions of Canadians celebrated Canada 150 with free admission to Parks Canada’s places in 2017 and more Canadians than ever before had amazing experiences. Point Pelee experienced the largest increase in visitation of any national park in Canada. From January to December 2017, Point Pelee National Park saw an increase of 68% over the same period last year with more than 200 000 additional visitors. In 2018 and beyond, Parks Canada will make discovering nature and connecting with our history easier and more affordable for families with free admission for youth aged 17 and under and new Canadians.

The Government is committed to investing in the revitalization of federal infrastructure assets, including national parks and national historic sites, for the benefit of all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast. These investments bring Canadians together to celebrate our rich and storied past.