Point Pelee attendance up in 2017

By Angelica Haggert

With free admission in 2017, all national parks in Canada saw huge increases in attendance. Point Pelee in Essex Ont. saw a 75 per cent increase.

More than 16,000 people visited the park on Canada Day weekend alone. The free admission for 2017 was thanks to Canada 150. The Canadian government announced youth aged 17 and under will also receive free admission in 2018.

Maria Papoulias, park superintendent, said she hopes the park will see an increase in youth and families because of this promotion.

“It’s very important for us to connect youth and the next generation with our National Parks,” said Papoulias.

Next year, Point Pelee turns 100 years old. The actual hundredth birthday of the park is May 29, 2018, but they plan to celebrate all year.  This centennial celebration should continue to attract high crowds. Special events will include a feature by the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and a BioBlitz to categorize different species of insects and animals.

Point Pelee is Canada’s smallest but most ecologically diverse park, according to its website. The park is open year-round and opened on-site public overnight opportunities this year with the addition of 24 oTENTiks that were put up on Oct. 5 of this year which offer a raised family camping setting. They are a mix between a tent and an A-frame cabin and Papoulias said they are ideal for winter camping. 

Papoulias said based on feedback they received, among the many faces visiting the park this year were newcomers to Canada and local residents who had never seen Point Pelee or had not visited in a long time.

“Many people were just blown away by the beauty of Pelee and many of them do plan to come back [even when] there are fees.”