Gooby.ca - Irving Nature Park

Introduction

nospam@example.com (Stephane Theroux) — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:10:00 -0500

The Irving Nature Park (Taylor Island) and the Sheldon Point Trail, located in west Saint John on the shore of the Bay of Fundy, provide an oasis from the noise and traffic of the city. Created by J.D. Irving Limited, the park provides recreational opportunities including walking trails, sandy beaches, bird watching, and just plain relaxation.

It's one of those gems that you don't really notice until you open your eyes and seek out the beauty of the place. After having spent three years on the West Coast, I learned to look for and appreciate the beauty of my surroundings. Upon my return to Saint John in October of 2004, I set out to find this beauty around the city and found a great example of it in this park. Saint's Rest beach at low tide near sunset is almost magical, with the low sun turning the sand into an expanse of gold.

Having moved back here from a small island (Saturna Island, BC) that had a wide array of hiking opportunities, from shoreline to mountain to rainforest, I appreciate having this park available as an escape and a means of maintaining my fitness. I make a 25km loop of all the trails, and walking from home to the Sheldon Point trailhead and back, at least once or twice per week.

One thing I've noticed with a bit of dismay is the litter that gets washed up onto the beaches by the tide and also left by less-conscientious visitors. Please make an effort to pick up and properly dispose of any litter you find in the available bins around the park. This both increases the enjoyment of the park by other visitors and yourself, as well. It's also a small price to pay for the use of this wonderful resource.

The articles contain a selection of photos taken during my walks in the park. The complete set of photos can be viewed in the Irving Nature Park Photo Gallery.

Photos:

Top left: Golden expanse of Saint's Rest Beach at low tide (Oct 26, 2004, clearing skies approaching sunset).
Bottom right: Rest area at Sheldon Point (Nov 6, 2004, mostly sunny, late afternoon).

Sheldon Point Trail

nospam@example.com (Stephane Theroux) — Sun, 22 Aug 2004 20:09:00 -0500

Sheldon Point Trail, the newer of the trails in the Irving Nature Park, winds its way 4 kilometers through mixed woods, along rugged Fundy coastline, through an alder grove and, finally, onto a sand and gravel beach backed by sandy cliffs. The trail is a little more undulating than the Taylor Island Trail but is still accessible for most. The trail is well-maintained but may need steps installed in a couple of places to prevent erosion.

Sheldon Point itself offers a panoramic view of the Bay of Fundy and its rugged shoreline, as well as a view of the beach. It's a nice spot for a picnic (sheltered table available) or a short rest stop if you're doing the full Sheldon Point-Taylor Island loop. You can also go down to the rocks below although they can be quite slippery when yet, so use caution.

The beach can, at certain times of the year, be impassable due to extreme high tides. Even during moderate high tides, the waves can wash up to the base of the sandy cliffs (wet feet are a possibility.) Be aware of the tides so you can avoid having to scramble up the cliff (although that's not so bad in itself.)

The grove of alders are part of a regenerating landscape that used to be a gravel and sand operation. At certain times of the year (I really noticed it in late October until frost) the flies along that part of the trail can be thick. Walking through this part of trail with mouth firmly closed is recommended, unless you're needing a protein fix.

If you have the time and energy, the trail is best done in conjunction with the Taylor Island Perimeter Trail. When you reach the end of the Sheldon Point Trail, continue along the beach until you reach Taylor Island and walk the perimeter trail, returning on the Sheldon Point Trail. This gives you a walk of approximately 16km and can be completed in 3-6 hours.

Top left: Sandy cliffs (Oct 26, 2004, clearing skies approaching sunset).
Bottom right: A solid foundation. Yellow birch embracing boulder (Oct 26, 2004, overcast).

Taylor Island Nature Trail

nospam@example.com (Stephane Theroux) — Sun, 22 Aug 2004 20:08:00 -0500

The Taylor Island Nature Trail was opened in 1992 by J.D. Iriving Limited to protect an environmentally significant and sensitive ecosystem on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. This 243 hectare (600 acre) urban park also provides residents and tourists of Saint John, NB, a haven from the noise and traffic of the city, providing a natural setting with the relaxing sounds of waves and wildlife.

The park sits on a peninsula of volcanic rock laid down about 300 million years ago and also comprises mud flats, salt marsh, bog, beach, and forest. There are about 15km of walking trails providing access to each of the various ecosystems in the park. There are no fees to access the park or use its recreational resources. All maintenance and park improvements are carried out by J.D. Irving Ltd. at no cost to the public.

The area is an important breeding ground for shore birds as well as a staging area for migratory birds, providing food and shelter for birds as they head north in the summer and south in the winter. Over 350 species of birds have been spotted in the area.

The rocky shoreline is composed of basalt laid down by volcanic activity and littered with a wide variety of colorful glacial erratics. There also occurs bands of purplish-red siltstone created when lava flowed over and under the mud of the ancient sea floor. Some of these siltstone deposits have very eye-catching striations of quartz (see photo, top left) and form a beautiful contrast of colours with other stones. The shores are washed twice a day by tides that range up to 28 feet, with a frigid water temperature of 5°C (41°F).

Atop all this rock lies a stand of Acadian Forest containing Red Spruce, Yellow Birch, Balsam Fir, and an assortment of wildflowers and berries. This forest is home to many creatures such as deer, sqirrel, porcupine and snowshoe hare.

Saint's Rest beach is a treasure in itself, especially at low tide. It has stretches of fine and coarse sand with bars of multi-hued gravel. It is backed, and protected, by a grassy berm that separates it from the marsh. The Marram Grass that stabilizes this berm is fragile and cannot absorb traffic. When going through the grass please stick to the established paths to avoid damaging this sensitive part of the beach.

A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk extends out onto the Saint's Rest Marsh, affording visitors expansive views of the salt marsh and the tidal mud flats. It's a great place to stop for a rest and snacks, and to spot the parks emblem, the Great Blue Heron.

There are picnic tables in several locations in the park with gas barbeque hookups available as well. Please note that you must bring in your own water as there is no potable water available in the park.

Top right: Colored pebbles nestled in siltstone (Oct 26, 2004, overcast).
Middle left: Seaweed-draped boulders at low tide (Oct 26, 2004, clearing skies).
Bottom right: Boardwalk going out onto Saint's Rest Marsh (Nov 6, 2004, mostly cloudy).