Shut out of our own beaches

Frances MacLure

- January 23, 2013 at 18:40:16

I used to be a proud employee of Parks Canada but no more. I am now a very disappointed retiree. They are going to increase their fee this year and I say "for what". Their services are a way, way down. No groomed trails this year for skiers not even during the weekdays.The only place to have a handicapped picnic table would be at Green Gables if one is handy enough the curb. No place for seniors who have trouble walking to sit near the beach and overlook the water. Great hwy for bikers, runners and walkers for sure, but, not everyone can do that. No presence of wardens keeping the dunes safe from people walking on them. A real pet peeve, all the sunbathers on the Park side of Covehead Harbour using the wharf for parking making it difficult the deepsea fishing and the resturant owners to have parking places for their clients. Then, we have Green Gables National Historic |Site so rundown this year. The shrubs haven't been groomed for a couple of years and someone working there should take an hour or so and pick up all those cigarette butts from the front of the Visitor's Center.Not a welcoming site for sure. No annual Christmas event there this year! Why? Mostly volunteers worked it, so it wasn't the money. Now, tell me, again, why do you think the fees should be raised this year.For the first time since fees were started, I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ONE.

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Peter

- January 22, 2013 at 14:34:22

The only irony here is in the post itself. It's even more ironic that these parks are paid for by Canadians who have no way of ascertaining whether or not they're getting their money's worth. There is way too much government spending today, but where govt. spending is necessary, it should always take place at the most local level possible. Then Islanders will finally understand what it actually costs to maintain "their" beaches. Mr. Basha appears to be under the delusion that government can spend money at no one's expense. Goods and services are always, ALWAYS, distributed more fairly and effectively when they are paid for only by the people using them.

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Tami Lewis

- January 22, 2013 at 10:50:26

In response to 'Shut out of our own beaches' (The Guardian, Jan 22, 2013) Overhead at the Island table: "Mom, why do we have to pay to go to the National Park Beach?" "Well, son, that fee we pay helps pay for the use of the washrooms, showers with hot water, canteens, walking/biking trails, playgrounds, clean beaches, and certified lifeguards. Every year I get in on the Early Bird Pass Special which gets us a whole summer of fun for less than the cost of our family going to one movie or dinners out or some other event! Let's you and I pray tonight for all we are thankful for such as long walks on the beach and sandcastles." Some may think going to the National Park is out of reach financially others will get out a mason jar, label it Summer Fun/ PEI Park Pass, donate to the jar about $12-15 a month from now until June and get a whole summer of fun (lifeguard included)!! Tami Lewis Brackley Beach

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Jhc

- January 22, 2013 at 10:44:47

It's sad but I believe this happens far to often here... trying to increase tourists? Put the price increases in the brochure ( that is useless) and see how much positive feedback u get

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j

- January 22, 2013 at 10:40:07

Its sad but I believevthis happens far too often

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