[Sust-mar] Celebrate Canada’s Parks Day with a picnic and a variety of fun-filled activities

Krista Olmstead krista at friendsofmcnabs.com
Mon Jul 12 18:50:58 EDT 2010


*Friends of McNabs Island Society*
MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate
Release

July 11, 2010

Celebrate Canada’s Parks Day with a picnic and a variety of fun-filled
activities

The day-long program of events will showcase the Island’s refurbished and
rebuilt trails

HALIFAX—HRM residents can help celebrate both the 20th anniversary of the
Friends of McNabs Island Society and Canada Park’s Day with a picnic,
family-oriented activities and entertainment on McNabs Island Provincial
Park on July 17.

One highlight will be the official opening of the user-friendly upgrades to
the Island’s walking trails.  Visitors can also choose from guided birding
and nature walks, tours of Fort Ives and other historical landmarks or a
tour of Hangman’s Beach, the setting of Thomas Raddall’s 1966 novel.

Events range from a children’s scavenger hunt and games to a demonstration
of quoits, a popular 18-century game similar to horseshoes.  The Sisters of
Charity will also be commemorated for their contribution as caregivers to
the Island’s quarantine stations during a cholera outbreak more than a
century ago.

Taking part in the activities will show visitors why McNabs Island is a
jewel in the harbour, says Cathy McCarthy, president of the Friends of
McNabs Island Society.  “Not only is McNabs a nearby oasis from the city’s
hustle and bustle, it’s also an outdoor classroom for exploring history and
nature.”

Fittingly, McCarthy says, the Society has recently completed its most
ambitious project to improve the trails on McNabs since it adopted the
Island in 1990.  “Successfully completing this inaugural phase of the trail
improvements, with much needed ditches, culverts and roadbed gravel, shows
our commitment to being conscientious stewards of McNabs Island.  We're
already moving ahead with fundraising efforts to repair even more trails and
improve park facilities.”

A chartered ferry will offer three separate return trips to the Island
starting at 9:30 a.m. with departures from the Halifax waterfront at
Murphy’s Cable Wharf.   Tickets cost $13 each for adults and $8 each for
children under 16.  Visitors can bring their own picnic lunch, or buy food
and drinks from an affordable BBQ menu catered by George and Lito's
Restaurant and Café.

Tickets are available from Ticket Atlantic at (902) 451-1221 or
www.ticketatlantic.com.  Tickets are also available at 24 participating
Atlantic Superstore outlets.  For more information about the 20th
anniversary celebration or the Friends, go to www.mcnabsisland.ca.

Funding for the $270,000 reconstruction project of the trail network has
come from municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.  The
funding agencies include: HRM, the Nova Scotia Department of Health
Promotion and Protection, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources,
the National Trails Coalition and Parks Canada.

The Friends of McNabs Island Society is a volunteer, non-profit, registered
charity, based in Halifax, dedicated to the preservation of McNabs and
Lawlor Islands Provincial Park. The Society was incorporated in March of
1990 with the objective to promoting the islands as a Nature Park and
Outdoor Classroom. The Society hosts events on McNabs Island such as
picnics, nature and historical tours, and annual beach clean-ups.  It
maintains the trails with co-operation from the Nova Scotia Department of
Natural Resources and Parks Canada.

-30-

Media Contact:
Cathy McCarthy
President, Friends of McNabs Island Society
902-434-2254 (evenings and weekends)
902-456-9167 (cell)
mcnabs at chebucto.ns.ca



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