Miracle Beach Provincial Park

IUCN Category II - National Park

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The Miracle Beach Provincial Park is a 137 -hectare Provincial Park in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is located about 22 kilometers north of Courtenay and 22 kilometers south of Campbell River on the east coast of Vancouver Island Iceland and can be reached via Highway 19A. The park is located in the Comox Valley Regional District.

Plant

The park is located directly on the Strait of Georgia and flows through the northern part of the Black Creek. The terrain in the southern part of the park is divided into the somewhat remote from the shore camping area and the directly located at the beach picnic area. While the northern part of the creek is dominated by grassland, the southern part is densely forested. In the park is a protected area category II (National Park).

History

The park was established in 1950. As with almost all provincial parks in British Columbia but also applies to this, that he, hunting and fishing territory of different tribes of First Nations was long before the area populated by immigrants or she was part of a park. His name is based on an Indian legend. Once upon a time - this is the story - that the resident Cape Mudge Indians were injured and anxious, the prey of the surrounding warlike tribes. One day a starving stranger came stumbled on them. He was nourished by them, dressed and a friend. The stranger then turned out to be a messenger of the Great Spirit.

Before the park was taken over in 1950 by the province, he was in private ownership. Over the years the original 57 acres was then increased even more times.

Flora and Fauna

The park is located in the temperate rainforest. Within the ecosystem of British Columbia he the Dry Maritime subzone is assigned within the Coastal Douglas - fir zone. After the last of forest use and reforestation beginning of the 20th century here now grow mainly Douglas fir, western hemlock and American giant trees of life. However, it will also provide the Moreton Bay Ash ( in the English language " Bigleaf Maple ") and the red or Oregon alder (English Red alder ). The forest here has an understory of ferns ribs, superb raspberries, Shallon bill and buckthorn berries. In the undergrowth also Nuttall's flowering dogwood can also find Pacific Dogwood Blossoms called ( engl. Pacific Dogwood ), the coat of arms plant of British Columbia.

The tidal range of the Strait of Georgia is also clearly seen and felt, it is usually about 2 to 3 meters. The resulting tidal zone is rich in marine life. At low tide it is possible to see at the beach mussel beds and other marine creatures. The mussels lure sea otters and seals, various fish and osprey and bald eagles.

The, the park through flowing, Black Creek is spawning habitat of wild salmon. Is located at its lower reaches also a counting station to the development of the population to follow. Represented at fishing here are Pacific salmon, especially coho salmon (English Coho Salmon), the rainbow trout and the Cutthroatforelle.

The park can be, next to the marsh wren, and the Steller (English Stellar 's Jay ), the national bird of British Columbia, watching.

Activities

The tourist attractions of the park, the picnic area with its sandy beach, and the intertidal zone dar. The park is very popular with families with children.

The park is maintained by the RLC Enterprize Miracle Beach Nature House, which events ( the so-called " Interpretive Programs" ) services. This event offers lectures and games to nearly bring the public the nature and exhibitions on the natural history of the park.

The park has one, with sanitary facilities, equipped camping area. This provides a total of 200, being reserved for the most part, pitches for caravans and tents.