The layout of the
Park is based on a nature walk. The animals are in large natural
enclosures scattered along the park trail, which allow visitors to
see animals that are part of their natural surroundings, not
divorced from them, and which also encourag e
visitors to feel they are part of these surroundings. Salmonier
Nature Park takes people into the landscape where the animals are
displayed in settings that are as natural as possible.
Aside from the 40 hectares of the park
containing the nature trails and animal displays, there is an
additional 1415 hectares which is undeveloped. This area, which
abuts the Avalon Wilderness Reserve, includes mature boreal forest,
barrens, peatlands and the headwaters of Salmonier River. Within the
park, 84 species of birds, 15 species of mammals and over 170
species of vascular plants have been recorded. The area affords
splendid opportunities for field research in a well protected and
managed environment.
Average annual visitation has more than
doubled in the last four years, with an average of 40,000 visitors per year,
approximately 5,000 of which consist of school groups in the Spring and Fall.
The final report of the Newfoundland and Labrador Product Market Match Study
indicated that Salmonier Nature Park was second only to the city of St. John's
as one of the top five tourist attractions likely to generate overnight
in-province travel.
The role of the park is to help visitors
gain an understanding and appreciation for wildlife and the natural community it
inhabits. This role is based on the premise that it's difficult to appreciate
that which you don't know.
|
|
