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Nestled among the West Isles in the Bay of Fundy is New Brunswick's Campobello Island, the home of Herring Cove Provincial Park (established 1959, 424 ha). The park is located on the eastern side of the island and is accessible by bridge from Lubec, Maine, 100 km from St Stephen, NB. Campobello may also be reached by ferry from Deer Island in summer.
Natural History
The park features rugged cliffs, a beach, sphagnum bog and old growth spruce forest. The island climate is occasionally foggy and cool, moderated by the marine influence. The plant life is typical of mountain or more northerly areas.
The cold waters of the bay with its high tides, rocky shores, strong currents and upwelling provide a rich habitat for shorebirds and seabirds, especially during migration. From the trails, it is not unusual to see bald eagles, ospreys and beavers. There is also a wide diversity of migrating song birds. Whales, dolphins, seals, herring, mackerel, lobster and scallops are found in the surrounding waters.
Human History
Native people visited Campobello for thousands of years before European contact. In a 1607 map, Samuel de Champlain showed Campobello as Port aux Coquilles (Scallop Harbour). European settlers arrived in 1684 and relied primarily on the sea to sustain them. During the prohibition years of the 1870s and 1920s, rum running was prevalent. In the early 1900s, a steamship service ran from Boston and a summer colony flourished. In the late 1800s, future US president Franklin Roosevelt first visited the island. He spent many summers at his beloved cottage on the island. The park is adjacent to the world's first international park, Roosevelt Campobello (1964).
Facilities
The park was established for tourism, recreational and protection purposes. Visitors enjoy golfing, hiking, bird watching, whale watching, beachcombing, fishing, kayaking, camping and picnicking. Roosevelt's summer home, gardens, a visitor centre, natural area, walking paths, and 2 scenic drives are highlights of the park. It is also used as a meeting place, and interpretation of historical and natural features is provided.
