Family-Friendly Ways to Explore #SJTownsByTheBay: Outdoor Adventures

July 08, 2022


Whether you're looking for the perfect bay-cation or preparing for your next great staycation, we want to help make your family summer activity planning as easy as possible!

Check out these family-friendly ways to explore the outdoors in #SJTownsByTheBay:

Experience the Fundy Trail Parkway

The Fundy Trail Parkway, located 10km east of the Village of St. Martins, is an ideal way to experience our spectacular Bay of Fundy coastline, and offers fun for the whole family! Journey to Fuller Falls to view the falls from an upper observation deck, or adventure down the cable ladder to get a closer look. Visit the Interpretive Centre to learn more about the former lumbering community of Big Salmon River, then head to the Suspension Footbridge. Looking for more relaxation than adventure? Head to Long Beach for an afternoon by the water. The Fundy Trail Parkway offers endless amounts of trails and falls to explore for every skill and comfort level.

Explore the Irving Nature Park

Just minutes from uptown Saint John, this special part of the Fundy coastline is a place where everyone can come and explore some of the province's richest ecosystems. Featuring forest and marsh, beaches and trails, it is an ideal outdoor recreation destination. Visit the Children's Forest, with barbeques, a playground, and life-size mazes. Take in free special events such as story sessions and educational programs. Walk one of the eight different trails, and journey across the boardwalk extending into the salt marsh. A full day of fun is waiting for your family!

Paddle with Osprey Adventures

Explore the Kennebecasis marshlands and enjoy a variety of wildlife and flora on a paddle trip with Osprey Adventures! The diverse waterfowl population and various birds of prey makes this river system a fascinating area to explore. Each rental is for up to three hours, meaning you'll have more than enough time to relax along the way and take in the amazing surrounding views.

 

Whether it's your first time jumping into a kayak or canoe, or you're a seasoned pro, Osprey Adventures will be sure your family is prepared for an amazing afternoon on the water.

Dive into Renforth Beach

Located on the shores of the Kennebecasis River, Renforth Beach offers a supervised space for the whole family to relax during the summer months. Wander along the nearby trails, check out the lighthouse on the wharf, sit back on the beach, or go for a swim in the river. The perfect beach day isn't far away!

Relax at Meenan's Cove Park

Beach volleyball courts, a ball field, trails, a playground, and a beach all make Meenan's Cove Park a great choice for a family outing! Spend the day going from one activity to the next, take a minute to breathe on the beach while your kiddos cool off in the water with lifeguard supervision, and finish the day with an outdoor picnic and barbeque. 

 

Journey Through the Nerepis Loop

For the family of avid kayakers, there's no better way to spend an afternoon than journeying through the Nerepis Loop, located on the Nerepis River near Grand-Bay Westfield. Whether you have older children looking for a challenge, or younger kids joining you for the ride, this is the perfect trail to discover. During the paddle, you may see osprey, eagles, hawks, blue heron, deer, moose, beaver, and a variety of other wildlife.

 

While the whole length of the river is around 25km, the loop is only 5km, meaning you can choose your level of difficulty and length of adventure!

 

?: @karyortz

Land acknowledgement

The Saint John Region is situated on the traditional and unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’Kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati Nations. This territory is covered by Peace and Friendship Treaties signed with the British Crown in the 1700s. The treaties did not surrender the territory and resources, but recognized Wolastoqiyik, Mi’Kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati title, and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency pays respect to the elders, past and present, and descendants of this land, and is committed to moving forward in the spirit of truth, collaboration, and reconciliation.