Ron Robinson of the The Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association in Nova Scotia blasted me for my negative trip report on the best hike there:
best hike Nova Scotia – Cape Chignecto FAIL
While some of your concerns are legitimate and will be addressed by the Park Management Board I find it somewhat inexplicable that someone who uses the internet to critique and criticize would not check the park website prior to visiting to determine such basic information as hours of operation, driving time and distances and the fact that reservations are required.You are probably not aware that Cape Chignecto is a provincial park in name only and is in fact community managed and operated without, until this year, any operational funding from the Province. A staff of less that 15 including summer students is responsible for maintaining over 50 kms of trails, 70 plus backcountry campsites, a cabin, bunkhouse and the recently opened Eatonville Day-Use area.
To casually post that it is poorly managed without any background information or without going in the morning after and talking to staff and leaving without paying the fees is mean spirited and insulting to the very dedicated and hard working staff and volunteer board members. Money for marketing is scarce and Cape Chignecto has to use that money sparingly so word of mouth is very important.
Your failing rating of the park on this posting is harmful to efforts to increase visitation and thus revenues which would help to address issues related to staffing, marketing, etc. Please visit again. I’m sure you’ll come away with a much better second impression once you meet the staff and learn more about the Park and its challenges,
He’s got some very good points.
My apologies.
If I had arrived 10min earlier to the trailhead I’d likely have done the complete circuit. And have had nothing negative to report.
I hope Nova Scotia gets it together some day promoting and managing that wonderful hike. It could be a great tourist attraction.
besthike.com 