Fundy Trail Parkway reopens as N.B.'s newest provincial park

With 30 kilometres of winding road, rugged coastline and sweeping views of the ocean, the Fundy Trail Parkway has been a New Brunswick staple for decades.

But as of Friday, it has a new title. It's now Fundy Trail Parkway Provincial Park.

"We are really looking at having new experiences, some elevated experiences," said Melanie Deveau, assistant deputy minister for parks.

Deveau said the parkway has technically always been a provincial park, but was operated and promoted by the Fundy Trail Development Authority. In December, the non-profit group handed the park over to the province.

"It was felt by that group that it was time now to transfer it back over to the province tooperate as a provincial park along with all of our other provincial parks," Deveau said.

The biggest change Parks N.B. is looking into is keeping the road through the park open 24 hours a day.

As a non-profit, the parkway was only open during daylight hours, but recent road developments on the east side now mean tourists can drive from St. Martins right to Fundy National Park and Almaand on to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.

The park itself will still be open for 12 hours a day, but will have security through the night while the road itself remains open.

New work has already begun on several aspects of the park under provincial operation, such as a new visitor centreon the eastern end and a 50-site campground set to open in July.

Aside from the new work, Deveau said another benefit of provincial ownership will be using Parks N.B.'s branding.

"It's just going to elevate it with the partnerships that are available and being able to leverage our other provincial parks," Deveau said. "So, you know, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park also being in this areaand being able to push the visitors from one park to to another."

WATCH | New owners, same park:

New Brunswicks newest provincial park is officially open

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Province hopes its ownership of Fundy Trail Parkway will increase tourism.

Parkway employees had to re-apply for their jobs to stay on at the park under provincial management. Deveausaid she didn't have exact numbers, but said many workers remained.

Entrance fees were free on opening day, and the gift shop was already stocked with clothing featuring a new logo showcasing the parkway as a provincial park. However, visitors were still handed map brochures with the old branding as they entered the park, with staff saying new maps would be available soon.

Chamber of commerce excited for park's future

Jordan Jamison is president of the St. Martins and district chamber of commerce. He spent Friday tidying up one of the businesses he co-owns in preparation for opening this weekend alongside the new provincial park.

"I think it's going to be really great for this part of New Brunswick. I've always said New Brunswick is Canada's best kept secret, and this is making it even more of a gem," Jamison said.

"I think St. Martins is poised for a boom in business."

Jamison said he's excited for the parkway to be open overnight, and also wants to see the provincial coastal scenic route moved so it goes through the parkway, since it currently goes around it.

The previous stewardship of the parkway under the non-profit hadgreat passion that's brought the park to where it is today, Jamison said.

"As long as that sentiment continues, I think the park's going to grow in the right direction."

One of Friday's visitors was Danny Simpson of Coles Island, who came down with family and friends for a hike on opening day.

Simpson said he's held a season pass for years and is excited to see where provincial ownership takes the park, and he is especially eager about the new campground.

He urged New Brunswickers who haven't been yet to stop by this summer.

"You have to check it out.I think it's still one of those well-kept secrets. Certainly a lot of people that I've spoken to have said that they haven't been here yet," Simpson said.

"But don't all come at once, because I like the fact that it's not overcrowded yet!"