Irving Nature Park, Saint John, NB

Taylor Island Nature Trail

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.

Photos:

• 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).