News release

Five Islands Provincial Park Receiving Upgrades

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Government is planning to invest more than $600,000 in upgrades at the popular Five Islands Provincial Park near Parrsboro, Cumberland Co.

The upgrades are part of a multi-year parks improvement plan and include a group-use building, road improvements, electrical upgrades and new signs.

This year, the provincial park saw about 3,000 campsite bookings, an increase of 1,051 campers or 56 per cent over 2015. The park offers 87 open and wooded campsites, cliffs overlooking the Minas Basin and great opportunities for hiking, beachcombing, rock collecting, clam digging and other outdoor activities.

"It's been an exceptional year for Five Islands and all of Nova Scotia's provincial parks," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey, on behalf of Natural Resources Minister Lloyd Hines. "We are committed to creating a better park experience for Nova Scotia families and individuals who use our parks, and for visitors who come from out of province."

Provincial parks enjoyed record participation this year. About 70,000 campsite bookings have been made in provincial parks this year, a 24 per cent increase over 2015.

The parks system saw many improvements and popular new programs this year, including:

  • a new, more user-friendly parks reservation website making online campsite reservations easier, resulting in the busiest opening day ever
  • two free nights offered to Grade 4 students in the form of a coupon that was used by 825 families
  • a discounted campsite rate for veterans who served Canada or any Commonwealth country was introduced this year, and more than 10,500 of campers took advantage of either the veterans discount or the seniors discount
  • a Learn 2 Camp program organized by Scouts Canada for first-time campers at Blomidon Provincial Park. Seven families participated, including two families who are new Canadians
  • there were 83 campground hosts units this year, who help to make visitors feel welcome while helping campers find local events and features that match their interests. Sixteen out of 20 provincial camping parks participate in the campground host program.

Nova Scotia has 130 camping, day-use, and beach parks. More information about provincial parks is available at http://parks.novascotia.ca.