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New Visitor Experiences Now Open at Peggy’s Cove and Cape Split

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Visitors will now have new ways to enjoy two of Nova Scotia’s icons. Infrastructure improvements at Peggy’s Cove and Cape Split Provincial Park are now complete and open to the public.

Peggy’s Cove

The new accessible viewing deck at Peggy's Cove.

A new accessible viewing deck at Peggy’s Cove officially opened on October 18. The 1,300 square metres of new, accessible public space provides the opportunity to view the lighthouse, waves and rocks in a more attainable and safer way.

The viewing deck project included a joint investment of $3.1 million from the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada, including $1.7 million from the Tourism Revitalization of Icons Program (TRIP) administered by Tourism Nova Scotia. The project design team included Omar Gandhi Architect Inc., Harbourside Engineering and EDM Planning, with ongoing input from the community and Develop Nova Scotia.

A significant portion - 1,115 square metres - of the deck was reclaimed for people from the existing roadway with the remaining extending slightly over the landscape and designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. The project also includes one of two new planned public washrooms and improvements to trail connections that lead to the lighthouse and nearby parking area. Visitors will still be able to access the rocks.

Additional provincial infrastructure investments also include expansion of the visitor information centre parking lot, revamp of the turnaround near the lighthouse, introduction of a parking management system, a new common area in the centre of the village with accessible public washrooms, and the restoration of the historic DeGarthe Studio. 

Over the past few years, Develop Nova Scotia worked closely with the community of Peggy's Cove in a comprehensive master planning process which led to the phase one Implementation Plan that is nearing completion.

Cape Split

A man and woman walk their dog past the new trailhead sign at Cape Split.

Cape Split is one of Nova Scotia’s top hiking destinations, with panoramic views of the Bay of Fundy. A new looped trail system, coastal lookoffs, a viewing platform, and trailhead and wayfinding signage at Cape Split will give hikers more opportunities to see the coastline and diverse ecosystem.

Map of Cape Split looped trail system

The infrastructure improvements were implemented by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables with $400,000, contributed through the Tourism Revitalization of Icons Program. The investment creates a better experience for visitors and new opportunities for entrepreneurs to offer world-class hiking excursions.