Fundy National Park of Canada

Park Management

Management Planning Process - A New Management Plan (2011)

Proposed Vision for Fundy National Park - 2025

A new vision statement is being developed to reflect current corporate direction guided by the Agency’s mandate and convey the special character of the site. Through the management plan process, Aboriginal communities, stakeholders, partners, local residents, staff and the Canadian public have been asked to contribute to shaping the park’s vision statement.

The following vision elements will be confirmed and refined during the management plan process:

• Visitors experience high quality and unique opportunities within a stunning and globally significant landscape.
• Visitors are drawn back year after year to this special protected heritage place to experience the region’s unique rugged landscape and coastal area shaped by the natural processes and power of the Bay of Fundy tides. They marvel at the distinct and dramatic views of the Bay experienced throughout the park and the power of the tides as it reaches dramatic peaks and lows. They take advantage of low tide to walk the sea floor, to discover dark sea caves along the coast and enjoy their interaction with knowledgeable park staff. Visitors continue to discover, witness, and learn about the park’s biodiversity, evolution of ecosystems and influence of the Bay of Fundy tidal waters on park lands.
• New Brunswick Aboriginal communities, stakeholders and partners see Parks Canada as a receptive partner willing to forge mutually beneficial relationships.
• Visitors are enthralled by stories of traditional Aboriginal connection with the landscape of Fundy National Park. The park provides opportunities to learn about the human influences that have shaped the landscape prior to park establishment, and envision what early settlements must have looked like 150 years ago where small villages dotted the area supported by a thriving lumber industry and sawmills that were established along its rivers.
• Canadians learn about the natural and cultural wonders of Fundy National Park through innovative public outreach education programs. The UNESCO Biosphere designation comes to life through the park’s on-going collaborative efforts and through its contribution to a sustainable landscape including tourism, natural and cultural heritage within the Greater Fundy Ecosystem.
• Fundy National Park will be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action and together with village of Alma and the surrounding communities becomes a destination of choice.
• The park is a major sustainable tourism destination for the region and across Canada and continues to contribute to the social and economic health of southern New Brunswick.
• As one of Canada’s treasured natural and heritage places, Fundy National Park truly is a living legacy, connecting the hearts and minds to a stronger, deeper understanding of the essence of Canada.

Proposed Future Direction for the Park

Key Strategy 1: We are all connected – Looking Within and Beyond our Boundaries

Fundy National Park (FNP) protects two important ecological regions – the Fundy Coast and the Southern New Brunswick Uplands, however the park cannot attain its Ecological Integrity goals alone. The objective of this strategy seeks to improve the ecological health of the park by working in the greater park ecosystems, develop stronger relationships with partners and stakeholders, and engage visitors.

• Through existing and new collaborations and partnering opportunities, stakeholders, partners, and local and Aboriginal communities will be able to influence and contribute to the protection, presentation and visitor experience opportunities of the park.
• Opportunities to engage visitors in park research and monitoring will expand and evolve to meet the needs and interests of participants.
• The park will continue to build and strengthen its relationships with Aboriginal communities and with Mi’kmaq and Miliseet networks by creating an Aboriginal Advisory Committee which will provide guidance on Aboriginal issues and identify opportunities to work on mutually beneficial initiatives.

Key Strategy 2: Facilitating Visitor Experiences and connection to Fundy National Park, Changing with the Times

The objective of this strategy seeks to develop new opportunities unique to the Bay of Fundy area to appeal to a broad range of Canadians, better understand and meet the changing needs of our urban and rural audiences to reach Canadians where they live, and meet the demands of the Upper Bay of Fundy regional tourism strategies.

• The park will research and launch creative initiatives to increase visitation throughout the year. These initiatives will focus on drawing new visitors and finding solutions to declining visitation. FNP will support current and new experiences that focus on involvement, enjoyment and discovery so that Canadians have opportunities to connect with the park
• To help fulfill Fundy National Park’s role in the regional tourism strategy for the Upper Bay of Fundy, the park infrastructure and tourism offers will be reinvigorated to remain relevant to Canadians.
• As a hub for discovery, the EcoCentre will become a point of engagement for the park and surrounding communities through a range of continually evolving events, activities and exhibits.
• Through innovative and engaging social media and a renewed park internet site, FNP will continue to communicate on research and monitoring conducted within the park as well as programs and activities.
• To reach out to urban audiences, FNP will develop new external communications tools to promote the Parks Canada system and highlight FNP activities and programs.

Key Strategy 3: Uncovering and communicating our Park’s Untold Stories in the Land of ‘Salt and Fir’

The area around FNP is rich in human history stories distinct to the Upper Bay of Fundy that have yet to be told. The objective of this strategy focuses on uncovering the stories of people’s relationship to the land prior to park establishment, and sharing this knowledge and their experiences for the enjoyment of all Canadians.

• Fundy National Park will explore options to renew relationships with former park residents, by working with local communities and facilitating opportunities for visitor experiences both on-site and outside of the park.
• Through an Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Fundy National Park will further explore opportunities to engage visitors about local First Nations culture and heritage.
• FNP’s cultural stories will be expanded as new information arises from research and on-site archaeology that engages visitors and meets their evolving interests and needs.
• FNP will complete its Cultural Resource Value Statement which will guide the evaluation, protection and presentation of the park’s cultural resources.

Area Management Approach:

There are four key visitor nodes in the park - Headquarters area, Point Wolfe, Bennett Lake and Wolfe Lake. FNP will concentrate its efforts over the course of this management plan on the following two areas in the park:

• Headquarters area
• Wolfe Lake

The Headquarters Area

This is the main focal area for all park visitors. It includes the Visitor Reception Centre, Park Administration Building, Dickson Brook area and golf course, EcoCentre, existing footprint of the Fundy Park Chalets, Headquarters area campground, tennis courts, open playing fields, saltwater pool as well as all associated roads, infrastructure and trail heads.

The redevelopment of the Headquarters area will bring improvements to the park’s visitor experience offers and complement other tourist destinations, increase opportunities for overnight visits, and improve the overall circulation and use of this area. Over the course of this management plan cycle there are several redevelopment opportunities in the Headquarters area to improve upon including: improved visitor flow and safety; increased use of underutilized areas; and increasing opportunities for visitor experience and improving orientation.

Wolfe Lake Area

This area will become an increasingly important visitor node which includes: the lake; day use picnic area; dam; visitor information building; campground; staff accommodation; closed burrow pits; west gate entrance kiosk; as well as all associated roads, infrastructure and trailheads.

With the expected completion of the Fundy Trail Parkway in 2013, visitation to this area will greatly increase and the importance of the west gate kiosk to act as a welcoming gateway to the park will need to be assessed.

Introduction and New Approach
Proposed Vision and Brief Overview of Proposed Management Direction
What Happens Next

---

Note: To read the PDF version you need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your system.

If the Adobe download site is not accessible to you, you can download Acrobat Reader from an accessible page.

If you choose not to use Acrobat Reader you can have the PDF file converted to HTML or ASCII text by using one of the conversion services offered by Adobe.

---