P.E.I. PROVINCIAL PARKS IN THE FALL

Many feel it is during the fall season that Provincial Parks are at their best for nature lovers. Most of the campers have returned to other pursuits, so you have the park to yourselves. The day use parks, although no longer staffed, are open for your enjoyment and have the recreation equipment still in place. One park in each county remains open until October 8 to provide camping to those who wish to pursue this type of activity. These are

Mill River Provincial Park, Strathgartney Provincial Park and Brudenell River Provincial Park. ”

Most Provincial Parks are located along the shoreline, some with long sandy spits permitting an excellent opportunity to water migratory birds. Other parks have a hardwood area, having an abundance of colored leaves and asso- ciated flora and fauna. '

Nature Preserves

An important section of Provincial Parks is the Nature Preserve category. This category provides total protection for areas so designated. Any restrictions or programs may be developed for that park as are deemed appropriate. Such a designation provides protection similar to that of Ecological Reserves in other provinces. Townshend Woodlot is an example of a park that has such protection. Several sites are in the process of having protection established while other sites have not yet been acquired in their entirety and, therefore, as yet do not have permanent protection. An example of a site in the process of receiving protection is the Murray River Red Pines.

Murray River Red Pines

Prince Edward Island once had a large number of both softwood and hardwoods which are now rare. One of these species was the Red Pine which was prized in the shipbuilding industry because of its straightness. They still remain in demand for telephone poles. The Murray River Red Pines, which make up about 20 acres, are a mature standat the eastern end of McLures (Stricklands) Pond just west of the Village of Murray River and creates one of the most picturesque scenes in P.E.I. If you are interested in seeing a Red Pine forest community and going fishing (a lot of big fish come out of this pond) in one of the nicest settings on P.E.I., why not visit the Murray River Red Pines. If you need more detailed information on the exact location, give Provincial Parks a call at 892-7431.