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Irving Nature Park:
Gooby.ca:
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Irving Nature Park, Saint John, NBIntroduction
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 Sheldon/Taylor Photo Gallery. Photos:
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| Copyright ©2004 Stephane "Gooby" Theroux |