How busy is the beach? Check the website

Some new technology will help staff at P.E.I. National Park let visitors know how many people are using the beaches this year.

Staff will be monitoring parking lots and updating a map on the national park's website.

Janette Gallant, visitor services co-ordinator at the park, said hourly updates will be available during the busy season.

"There may be a light on there that says, 'Green, lots of room, come on in,' or there be a red light on it that says, 'Consider looking for somewhere else to park,'" said Gallant.

Staff are encouraging Islanders to try different supervised beaches than they might normally use for what is expected to be a busy season.

Camping is at a premium during this summer, especially for the oTENTick sites.

As of Wednesday night, there were only eight open nights for the oTENTicks in Cavendish during July and Labour Day, and 26 at the sites in Stanhope.

A more accessible beach

The park has also seen some improvements to infrastructure.

Some sites for campers are now wider and have improved power supplies for larger vehicles.

The beach at Stanhope, which has had beach wheelchairs for a number of years, will this year be even more accessible for people with disabilities.

"We're going to be installing accessibility mats onto Stanhope Beach which will allow people to take their own wheelchairs onto the beach," said Gallant.

"[They can] also use our beach wheelchairs if they want to go right into the water."

Entry kiosks at the park have also been expanded to include trip planning areas and gift shops.

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