Summerside island with historic past purchased for nature reserve

The Nature Conservancy of Canada announced Tuesday it has purchased Holman's Island, 37 hectares of forest and shoreline in Bedeque Bay.

The islandwill now be preserved in its natural state for future generations.

"It's exciting," said Julie Vasseur, P.E.I. program director for NCC.

"Protecting islands is a priority for us in Atlantic Canada, and it's so close to Summerside, people are more likely to actually come visit the property and enjoy it."

Holman's Island is thickly wooded and unoccupied. Its red-sand shores are heaped with weathered driftwood and mollusk shells. It is also provides excellent habitat for wild birds and waterfowl.

"It's a gem," said Vasseur, "just minutes by boat from the city of Summerside."

A 19th century resort

Holman's Island also has a history.

It was the site of an early tourist resort, the Island Park Hotel, which opened in 1872.

The 125-room resort included bath houses, bowling alleys, and carriage road around the shore. But the hotel closed for good when the owner died just five years after it was opened. The building fell into disrepair and was destroyed by fire in 1904.

On-site remnants on the hotel include large depressions in the ground where cellars were once located, and a few quarried stones that were part of the foundation.

Undisturbed for a century

The island will require very little work to make it ready for the public. Two abandoned water wells will be covered with steel grates to protect visitors and wildlife.

"Other than that, the site will be left in pretty much in its natural state," said Vasseur.

"The site has remained mostly undisturbed for the past 100 years or so We will continue to let nature take its course."

The conservancy had been working on acquiring the property for several years.

The organization purchased the property from a family who had owned it for decades. The closing of the deal was announced Tuesday at Silver Fox Curling Club in Summerside.

Egmont MP Robert Morrissey and Fred Horne of Culture Summerside joined NCC officials for the event.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased several natural areas and small off-shore islands around P.E.I. in recent years, including Governor's Island in Hillsborough Bay.

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