Parlee Beach Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parlee Beach Provincial ParkParc provincial de la Plage-Parlee (French) |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Parlee Beach
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| Location | Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Nearest city | Dieppe |
| Area | 0.64 ha (1.6 acres) |
| Established | 1957 (private park since 1800s) |
| Visitors | 400,000+ (in 2010) |
| Governing body | Government of New Brunswick |
Parlee Beach Provincial Park is a super popular provincial park found in Pointe-du-Chêne, New Brunswick, Canada. It's known for its beautiful sandy beach and warm ocean water. Many people visit this park every summer to swim, play, and relax by the sea.
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Discovering Parlee Beach's Location
Parlee Beach Provincial Park is located in eastern Westmorland County. It sits right on the Northumberland Strait, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The park is on the northeast side of Pointe-du-Chêne. It also borders the community of Cap-Brulé.
The History of Parlee Beach Park
The park and beach got their name in 1959. They were named after T. Babbitt Parlee. He was a former government minister in New Brunswick. Sadly, Mr. Parlee passed away in an airplane crash in 1957.
The park stretches about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) south from the beach to Main Street. There is a campground on the eastern side of the park. In 1989, a famous band called The Beach Boys played a concert here. About 20,000 fans came to watch them perform on a big grassy area.
Every spring, the provincial government adds new sand to the beach. This helps replace sand that is lost during winter storms. It keeps the beach looking great for visitors.
Fun Things to Do at Parlee Beach Today
The Government of New Brunswick owns and runs Parlee Beach Provincial Park. It's managed by the Department of Tourism and Parks. The park has many cool things for you to enjoy:
- Parlee Beach itself, which is one of New Brunswick's most loved beaches.
- A large campground with 190 spots for tents and RVs.
- A special area for picnics during the day.
- A restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat.
- A canteen for snacks and drinks.
- Change rooms, showers, and washrooms.
- A fun playground for kids.
- Big parking lots that can hold over 1,000 cars.
- It costs $11.00 per vehicle per day to enter. You can also buy a season pass for $87.00.
The park is open from 8 AM to 10 PM during the summer. Lifeguards watch over Parlee Beach from early June until Labour Day. This makes sure everyone stays safe while swimming.
The water in the Northumberland Strait is often very warm. Some people say it has some of the warmest ocean water on the east coast of North America. Parlee Beach Provincial Park is one of New Brunswick's most popular places to visit. In 2011, over 400,000 people visited the park, mostly in the summer months!
How Parlee Beach Helps the Local Economy
The nearby town of Shediac benefits a lot from all the tourists who visit Parlee Beach. Shediac becomes a busy place in the summer. It provides services for many people who come to stay in cottages or camp in the area.
Because Parlee Beach has been popular since the 1800s, many cottage areas have grown up around Pointe-du-Chêne. These areas include communities like Cocagne and Bouctouche to the north. Also, Barachois, Robichaud, and Cap-Pelé to the east. The building of the four-lane Route 15 highway from Moncton to Shediac in the 1970s made it even easier for people to visit.
See also
In Spanish: Parque provincial de la Playa Parlee para niños
