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. 
     
    
   
   
    
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