Sandbanks Provincial Park is a provincial park on the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located on the southwest coast, approximately 150 km from the Trans-Canada Highway near the town of Burgeo, less than three hours from Corner Brook. The park is known for its expansive sandy beaches and dunes.[2][3]
| Sandbanks Provincial Park | |
|---|---|
 Looking down Second Beach, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Burgeo, NL | |
  | |
| Location | Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
| Nearest city | Burgeo |
| Coordinates | 47°36′26″N 57°38′50″W / 47.6072222°N 57.6472222°W[1] |
| Area | 2.32 km2 (0.90 sq mi) |
| Established | 1985 |
| Governing body | Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation, Parks Division |
| Website | https://www.gov.nl.ca/tcar/parks/p-sp/ |
Covering an area of 2.32 square kilometres (0.90 sq mi), the park has over seven kilometres (4.3 mi) of beach and several inland hiking trails through bog and forested area.[4] One path leads to a lookout at Cow Head.[3]
Biology and ecology edit
The sand dunes are easily eroded. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated trails.[5]
Flora edit
Sandbanks is home to Lathyrus japonicus, otherwise known as the beach pea.[5] The fragile sand dunes are covered with beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata).
Fauna edit
The piping plover, a near-threatened species of bird, nests on the beaches and in the sand dunes of the park.[6] The park and surrounding area is an important bird migration route.[3]
Notable visitors edit
Farley Mowat, who lived in Burgeo during the 1960s and wrote several books about the area, often visited the park with his dogs.[7]
Painter Christopher Pratt was a frequent visitor[8] and depicted the beach in the painting West of Sandbanks: Endless Summer.[9]
Newfoundland adventurer, author, and YouTuber Justin Barbour has also spent time at Sandbanks.[10]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Sandbank Provincial Park". Geographical Names database. Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- ^ Catto, Norm (2002). "Anthropogenic pressures on coastal dunes, southwestern Newfoundland". The Canadian Geographer. 46 (1): 17–32. doi:10.1111/j.1541-0064.2002.tb00728.x. ISSN 1541-0064.
- ^ a b c "Sandbanks Provincial Park". Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ "Sandbanks Provincial Park". Protected Planet. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Sandbanks Provincial Park , Newfoundland and Labrador". www.explorenewfoundlandandlabrador.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ "Stewardship Association of Municipalities | Town of Burgeo". stewardship. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ "Farley Mowat remembered by Burgeo resident | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ "The Porcupine's Quill | Book Listing | Thoughts on Driving to Venus". porcupinesquill.ca. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ "Christopher Pratt - West of Sandbanks: Endless Summer, 2012". Arthur. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
- ^ "What a solo adventurer can offer as advice during a pandemic | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2020-11-26.