Islanders can make their own trails this winter at P.E.I. National Park

P.E.I. National Park is open for the winter and Islanders are encouraged to make their own trails in the park.

Tara McNally MacPhee,manager for visitor experience for the P.E.I. National Park, said the park is open for the winter for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and birdwatching.

"P.E.I. national park is a four season park," MacPhee said."It's absolutely breathtaking, the vistas, the experiences, the engagement opportunities with nature and culture, so we do encourage folks to get out and cut their own trails through the woods."

However, the park's facilities, such as washrooms and warm-up sheltersare not open, and there are no emergency services provided by the park in the winter.

Working through winter

P.E.I. national park is a four season park. Tara McNally MacPhee

In addition to continuing work on the Green Gables Heritage Place,crews are working through the winter on trails, improvements to campgrounds and increasing accessibility to beaches, such as Stanhopewhich now is accessible from the parking lots all the way to the water.

MacPhee noted that after thisyear's free entry for all as part of Canada's150thbirthday celebrations, youth 17 and under will continue to have free access to the park.The park is currently offeringfamily season passes at a discount for the Christmas holiday season. The passes are on sale for $49 at ArdgowanHistoric Site or at a popup shop at the downtown Charlottetown mall until Dec. 22, and the same sale will run in the spring as well for Island residents.

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