The Sandbanks Provincial Park staff poses with the Blue Flag of beach excellence that they received Wednesday morning. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
L/R: Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Kathryn McGarry, Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff, Blue Flag Program Manager Brett Tryon and Sandbanks Provincial Park Superintendent Robin Reilly (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
A popular Quinte-area tourist attraction has received an international flag of approval for beach excellence.
Sandbanks Provincial Park in Prince Edward County was awarded the Blue Flag certification Wednesday morning, based on 33 levels of criteria. This includes; environmental education, water quality, environmental management, safety and accessibility. The Blue Flag represents the highest designation that a beach can receive for ecological integrity.
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Kathryn McGarry delivers a speech to commemorate the Blue Flag designation for Sandbanks Provincial Park Wednesday morning. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Kathryn McGarry was on hand to make the announcement with help from Blue Flag Program Manager Brett Tryon, County Mayor Robert Quaiff and Park Superintendent Robin Reilly.
Minister McGarry was particularly impressed with the staff’s work in keeping the park and beach clean and safe for people.
Blue Flag Program Manager at Environmental Defence Brett Tryon speaks at the official announcement of the Blue Flag award to Sandbanks Provincial Park in Prince Edward County (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Tryon pointed to the “great environmental education programming, responsible habitat management, accessible facilities and excellent water quality” as key catalysts for the park receiving this award.
Sandbanks Provincial Park Superintendent Robin Reilly hopes to see the continuation of the environmental regulations put in place by park staff as a result of the Blue Flag initiative. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Reilly says he hopes the world-class designation will assist in looking after environmental regulations for the beach.
Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff says he’s proud of the Sandbanks Provincial Park’s accomplishment of receiving the Blue Flag certification, especially after the heavy rain and flooding in the region this year and legions of tourists supporting the park over the years. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Mayor Quaiff says it’s been a hard road to get to this achievement for the County this year.
Sandbanks becomes just the second Ontario beach to reach this level of distinction, after Wasaga Beach in 2007.
Currently, blue flags are flying over 27 beaches and eight marinas in Canada and over 4,000 across the world.
For more on the Blue Flag certification, visit the Environmental Defence website.
The Blue Flag flying over Outlet Beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park, raised Wednesday morning. It’s the highest mark of distinction for a beach/park/marina. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
