ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Juanita Mercer
The Telegram
Parks Canada is beginning gradual reopening of its sites beginning June 1, including Signal Hill and Cape Spear.
Both sites will open for parking and some use of green space and trails, but visitor centres and the historic structures will remain closed.
Some popular trails, such as the North Head Trail at Signal Hill, will be accessible one-way only. For the North Head Trail, visitors will enter starting from the top parking lot, looping through The Battery, and back up Signal Hill Road. Visitors will not be permitted to enter the trail via The Battery entrance.
The reopening of Cape Spear will be welcome news for residents of Blackhead, who Coun. Wally Collins said have concerns about an influx of visitors.
“I’m getting a lot of calls out in Blackhead. People are going to Cape Spear, they stop, and they go all down around Blackhead, and social distancing is a problem there,” he said on Monday during the regular meeting of St. John’s city council.
“It’d probably be better if we opened that park where they’d have more room, and wouldn’t have as many crowds there. So, I’d like for the government to look at that because there’s lots of space out in Cape Spear, and I think it’s going to be a problem down in Blackhead if we keep that park closed.”
Cape Spear
As of June 1, the following will be open at Cape Spear: roadway, upper and lower parking lots, Most Easterly Point path and lookout, Lighthouse Loop Trail for one-way pedestrian use, Coastal Trail with signage explaining direction of use, and Coastal Trail Extensions for regular two-way use. Hikers wishing to complete the entire coastal trail at Cape Spear are recommended to go in a north to south direction (Blackhead to Petty Harbour).
The following will remain closed at Cape Spear: lighthouse, Fort Cape Spear bunker complex, washrooms, information kiosk, Historic Sites Association Gift Shop and the campfire circle.
Signal Hill
As of June 1, the following will be open at Signal Hill: roadway, lower and upper parking lot, Fort York lookout, North Head Trail and Ladies’ Lookout Trail for one-way pedestrian use starting from the upper parking lot, Gibbett Hill Trail for regular two-way use, Centre to Citadel Trail for regular two-way use from the visitors' centre to Queen’s Battery Barracks, but one-way use from Cabot Tower to the barracks, and Burma Road Trail for regular two-way use.
The following remains closed at Signal Hill: the visitors' centre, Newfoundland Chocolate Company Cafe, Queen’s Battery Barracks, Cabot Tower and Historic Sites Association Gift Shop.
Parks Canada asks all visitors to maintain physical distancing of two metres from others even when outdoors, and avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces that are often touched.
@juanitamercer_
