Cottage Cove Provincial Park Will Reopen

Cottage Cove Provincial Park will reopen this spring following its normal winter closure.

The Department of Natural Resources closed the day-use picnic park in September, after consulting Nova Scotia Museum staff, to investigate reports that the area may have been used as a Mi'kmaq burial ground.

D.B. Conrad Research Consulting Ltd. conducted an independent study of the area that determined the park may reopen. An area near the park's eastern entrance may have been the burial site of nine Mi'kmaq children who died during a diphtheria epidemic. This site will be left to naturalize out of respect for any burials that may have occurred. Two other areas studied were not used as burial sites.

"I am pleased the situation has been resolved in a manner that suits both the natives and non-natives in the local community," said Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill. "Department staff took the initial report seriously and closed the park until more information was gathered. We agree with and support the recommendations of the consultant."

Cottage Cove Provincial Park is on the Bay of Fundy between Mount Hanley and Port George, Annapolis Co. The 0.2-hectare park was created in 1948 and has been operated by the Department of Natural Resources since 1993.

Copies of the consultant's report are available for viewing at the library in Middleton, as well as Natural Resources offices in Lawrencetown, Annapolis Co., and Bridgewater.