Peggy’s Cove Viewing Platform Will ‘Control Access’ To Lighthouse, Rocks
PEGGY’S COVE — One of Nova Scotia’s most iconic tourist destinations is getting a major makeover with the help of millions of dollars of government investments.
The federal and provincial governments are together contributing $3.1-million to fund a suite of infrastructure improvements in Peggy’s Cove, most notably a new, accessible viewing platform that will control access to the iconic rocks and lighthouse.
Omar Ghandi, whose firm helped design the changes at Peggy’s Cove, explained at Friday’s announcement that the changes aim to reduce congestion and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, as well as make Peggy’s Cove more accessible to visitors with physical limitations.
The changes start with a new drop-off area Ghandi says pulls cars back from the front of the Sou’Wester restaurant, opening a large area for new activity that was previously occupied by vehicles.
The new viewing platform will be a continuous, level surface that’s fully accessible from multiple locations, integrated into the landscape and providing a safe place to view the lighthouse.
The entire project, he said, “[aims] to provide the experience of being out on the rocks and near the water but in a controlled and safe manner.”
Peter Bigelow, the director of planning and development at Develop Nova Scotia, added that although access to the rocks will be better managed, people won’t be cut off entirely.
“Folks will still have the opportunity to go to the lighthouse from the viewing platform. The viewing platform actually presents, basically, a place to control people as they move down towards the lighthouse,” he said.
Bigelow said that lets operators limit people from accessing the rocks when “times are dangerous.” However, he stressed that access to the rocks won’t be blocked off.
“Part of the experience of being at Peggy’s Cove is being on those rocks and we do not mean that we are going to limit that,” he added.
Along with the new viewing platform, the project will also see new washrooms built at Peggy’s Cove, as well as a host of other improvements. Construction will begin shortly and is expected to finish in the summer of this year.
Only about 40 people live in Peggy’s Cove, but as many as 700,000 people visit each year.
Lena Metlege Diab, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, said that is causing problems in the tiny community.
“The popularity of Peggy’s Cove has created challenges in the community around pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and circulation, and accessibility [which are] all negatively impacting the experience for visitors and residents alike,” she said.
Metlege Diab said the new accessible viewing platform, public washrooms, trail connection improvements, and public common space are being put in place “all toward creating an enhanced visitor experience.”
This year’s improvements at Peggy’s Cove complement provincial infrastructure investments of $6.2-million already underway in the community which focuses on pedestrian safety, traffic management, coastal protection, community sustainability, and resident and visitor experience.
This latest investment by the province of $1.7-million is through the Tourism Revitalization of Icons Program administered by Tourism Nova Scotia. The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is providing a contribution of $1.42-million toward the project through its Innovative Communities Fund.