THE ISLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK

THE ISLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK

Situated at the mouth of the Roseway River on Nova Scotia s scenic South Shore, The Islands is located across the harbour from the historic town of Shelburne. The park s picturesque coastal setting provides opportunities for camping, picnicking, boating, or exploring the many local attractions. CULTURAL HISTORY Shelburne was founded in 1783 by United Empire Loyalists who fled the United States following the American Revolution. Within three years, the town s population reached 16,000, making it one of North America s largest settlements. After 1787, however, the population declined rapidly due to a scarcity of agricultural lands and a lack of government rations. The departure of Free Black Loyalists to the African colony of Sierra Leone also contributed to the exodus. In 1784 a hospital and fort were established near what is now The Islands. Latter, a quarry was begun at The Islands to extract the grey granite so plentiful here. The stone was used to construct many local buildings, and to make cobblestone for export to Europe. Quarrying operations continued until the 1970s. In coastal areas the forests are chiefly white spruce and balsam fir, with maple, birch and poplar. White pine is common within The Islands. WILDLIFE While large areas of barrens and bogs in the interior of Shelburne County provide little productive wildlife habitat, they do support one of the best moose populations in western Nova Scotia. The coastal areas of southwestern Nova Scotia contain many different habitats including sand beaches, salt marsh, cobble beaches and intertidal muds and sands. The relatively mild winters and ice-free waters make this a prime wintering area for many species of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, including Canada geese, black duck, scaup and common goldeneye. Birds breeding on the scattered islands include gulls, cormorants, Arctic and common terns, Leach s storm petrel, osprey and great blue heron. Offshore, nutrient-rich waters provide food for several different species of whales, dolphins and porpoise. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE REGION The Islands is underlain by 350 million year old granitic rock intruded into areas of greywacke (a type of sandstone) by tremendous geological forces. Throughout the region, the granite forms a hummocky terrain with few hills. The coastline of southwestern Nova Scotia is very indented and divided into well-developed capes and long, narrow bays. The latter are drowned river estuaries flooded by rising sea levels. VEGETATION Repeated fires in the interior of Shelburne County have replaced large areas of white pine and red oak forest with extensive barrens and semi-barrens. The depleted soils support only a shrub cover which includes huckleberry, bearberry, blueberries, lambkill, and Labrador tea with scattered black spruce. In deeper soils, white pine, white birch and poplar occur, with red oak on the ridges. PARK FACILITIES The Islands offers 64 campsites, flush toilets and showers, a picnic area, boat launch, beach access, a trailer dump station and facilities for the disabled. Campsite reservations may be made by contacting the park office.

HOW TO GET TO THE PARK The Islands is just off Highway 103, the Lighthouse Route, 5 kilometres (3 miles) west of Shelburne, on Nova Scotia s South Shore. While traveling west on Highway 103, take Exit 26 (Shelburne) onto Route 3. While traveling east on Highway 103, take Exit 27 at Birchtown. 3 103 The Islands Birchtown 103 Cape Sable Island Barrington 28 Sand Hills AREA ATTRACTIONS Atlantic Ocean Several nearby historic sites are operated by the Nova Scotia Museum or local historical societies. In Shelburne, the Ross-Thompson House and Store Museum, built by United Empire Loyalists in 1784, is Nova Scotia s only remaining 18th century store. Next door, the Shelburne County Museum features traveling exhibits, permanent collections and archival information. Across the street at the Dory Shop Museum, visitors can watch a dory being built on the town s historic waterfront. Operating from 1880 to 1970, the shop once produced thousands of these famous small work boats for Canadian and American fishing schooners. The Shelburne County Museum in Shelburne contains exhibits on local history, highlighting the area s rich Loyalist heritage and the shipbuilding industry. In early July, Shelburne County hosts a Lobster Festival and in mid-july Shelburne celebrates its Loyalist roots on Founders Day. Events include water sports, arts and crafts, regatta, garden party and entertainment. The Shelburne County Exhibition is held in August. 27 26 Shelburne On Cape Sable Island, the Archelaus Smith Museum portrays the island s history, including fishing techniques and gear, the area s many shipwrecks, Cape Island boats and the lives of prominent sea captains. The Old Meeting House Museum in Barrington, built in 1765, is the oldest non-conformist place of worship in Canada. Nearby, the Woolen Mill Museum contains original machinery and exhibits on South Shore sheep raising and wool processing. Near Barrington, Sand Hills features an attractive 2.4 kilometre (1.5 mile) white sand beach and picnic facilities. At Port Joli Harbour, 41 kilometres (26 miles) west of Shelburne, Thomas Raddall offers camping, hiking, beach access and a variety of shorelines to explore. Across the harbour, Kejimkujik National Park Seaside Adjunct features trails and coastal views. Port Joli National Migratory Bird Sanctuary is located at the head of the harbour. The Port Joli Basin Conservation Society maintains an observation site on the St. Catherines River Road in Port Joli which overlooks the Sanctuary. For more information on these and other attractions, consult the Nova Scotia Travel Guide or visit the local Tourist Information Centre. A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO PARK VISITORS Enjoy your visit to The Islands, but remember: if future generations are to enjoy their visit as you have, the park must remain unspoiled. Please help to preserve and protect this beautiful park. Plants, animals and rocks are an important part of the park s natural heritage. Please do not damage or remove them. Remember to practice safe swimming as the beach is unsupervised. In the interests of safety, firearms are prohibited within the park. Please keep pets on a leash at all times. Contact park staff for further information. They will be pleased to help make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

Birchtown Exit 27 THE ISLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK Roseway River Exit 26 Shelburne 5 km 3 Shelburne Harbour Note: All of park not shown Administration Building Washrooms and Showers Parking Picnic Area Camping Boat Launch Firewood Dumping Station Park Boundary Scale 1:8,850 Yards 200 0 200 Metres 150 0 150 300 Metres 400 Yards

For Additional Information: Parks and Recreation Division Department of Natural Resources R.R. #1, Belmont Colchester County, Nova Scotia B0M 1C0 (902) 662-3030 http:\\parks.gov.ns.ca or District Office Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 369 Shelburne, Nova Scotia B0T 1W0 (902) 875-2501 or The Islands (902) 875-4304 (mid-may to early September) Truro Yarmouth Shelburne The Islands Halifax Natural Resources Printed on paper that contains recycled fibre Information Circular PKS-34 Printed 2002 10M