GREENWICH — Why is P.E.I.’s sand red?
That’s the No. 1 question Xavier Lacroix, a student worker for Parks Canada, says he gets asked by visitors to the Island.
“A lot of people usually ask why the sand’s red,” he said.
The answer, as many Islanders might know – it has high levels of iron-oxide, otherwise known as rust. Lacroix would then explain why some Island beaches, like Greenwich Beach, have white sand instead of red.
The answer – the more waves there are at a beach, the more they wash the iron-oxide away.
“It acts like a washing machine,” he said.
Lacroix was staffing a booth at Greenwich Beach at P.E.I. National Park as part of the recent Parks Day. A bilingual Discovery Zone booth usually takes place at Greenwich Beach three times a week throughout the summer.
The display features a variety of treasures that can be found at Greenwich, like sea glass, clam shells, driftwood and sandstones.
“There’s a whole whack of them,” Lacroix said about the stones.
Another question Lacroix was often asked is why some sandstones have big holes in them. He says he sometimes makes the visitors guess, before explaining how certain clams burrow into the stones.
“As they grow they erode the rock,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s bugs.”
He says many people from off-Island have never seen treasures like these. After visiting the Discovery Zone, they will often keep an eye out for some of the display items while walking along Greenwich Beach.
Lacroix grew up in Gatineau, Que. He moved to Morell three years ago and is starting his first year at UPEI this fall, planning to take some environmental studies courses.
He enjoys working at the park, especially since it gives him a chance to speak French with people. He likes meeting and socializing with people, and they’re usually keen to learn about P.E.I.’s treasures.
