Basin Head Provincial Park
Encyclopedia
Basin Head Provincial Park is a provincial park
located in Basin Head
, Prince Edward Island
, Canada
. It is best known by its nickname "Singing Sands", in reference to the pure white sand that sings as you walk through it, due to a high silica content. This sand is geologically unique to the area.
Basin Head Provincial Park features a fisheries museum, souvenir shops, and interpretive center. The beach itself is split into two sections, divided by a channel (known locally as the 'run'). A bridge spans the 'run', and is a popular attraction for jumping and diving. It is open as a tourist attraction, operated by Tourism PEI, during the summer months.
In 1973 the Basin Head Fisheries Museum was built under the direction of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation and was open to the public. In 1995-96 huge renovations took place on the site by the Eastern Kings Development Association. This included a board walk which features access to the magnificent "Singing Sands" white sandy beach, gift shops, food, and beach services and a children’s play village.
The tidal lagoon behind the dunes is habitat for a variety of Giant Irish Moss called Chondrus crispus. This is the only place in the world that it is found. To protect the unique strain of Giant Irish Moss and its habitat, the Basin Head watershed is designated a Marine Protected Area.
This particular strain of Irish Moss called Chondrus crispus, is also referred to as Giant Moss. It is distinctive because it has a unique life cycle, does not attach to the bottom and is significantly larger than the normal plant found elsewhere. In addition, it has a higher concentration of carrageen, a stabilizing and thickening agent used in many household products.
Provincial park
A provincial park is a park under the management of a provincial or territorial government in Canada.While provincial parks are not the same as national parks, their workings are very similar...
located in Basin Head
Basin Head, Prince Edward Island
Basin Head is a cape in Lot 47, Kings County, Prince Edward Island, Canada.Extending into the Northumberland Strait, its geographic coordinates are 46'23"N, 62'07"W....
, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is best known by its nickname "Singing Sands", in reference to the pure white sand that sings as you walk through it, due to a high silica content. This sand is geologically unique to the area.
Basin Head Provincial Park features a fisheries museum, souvenir shops, and interpretive center. The beach itself is split into two sections, divided by a channel (known locally as the 'run'). A bridge spans the 'run', and is a popular attraction for jumping and diving. It is open as a tourist attraction, operated by Tourism PEI, during the summer months.
History
Basin Head received its name from its wide, hollow bowl shaped form, like a basin. For many years it was a productive fishing area, with many local fisherman making there livings fishing off shore. In 1937, it was decided to build a harbour and maintain a wharf at Basin Head. Much dredging was done, and the result was the large sand dunes on the beach which still remain today. The harbour was opened in 1938, and dredged again in 1959. In the peak time of fishing at the Basin there were about 25-30 boats fishing out of Basin Head. As many as twenty shacks owned by many of the fishermen were also located on the cape, along with a bunkhouse that housed at least twenty or more people. This was Basin Head's most productive era.In 1973 the Basin Head Fisheries Museum was built under the direction of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation and was open to the public. In 1995-96 huge renovations took place on the site by the Eastern Kings Development Association. This included a board walk which features access to the magnificent "Singing Sands" white sandy beach, gift shops, food, and beach services and a children’s play village.
Natural Attractions
The Basin Head area is rich with natural attractions. As mentioned above, one of the most unique aspects of the beach is the sands high silica content. This silica, when heated by the sun, produces a high pitched squeaking sound when rubbed together. Dragging your feet through the sand is enough is elicit this effect.The tidal lagoon behind the dunes is habitat for a variety of Giant Irish Moss called Chondrus crispus. This is the only place in the world that it is found. To protect the unique strain of Giant Irish Moss and its habitat, the Basin Head watershed is designated a Marine Protected Area.
This particular strain of Irish Moss called Chondrus crispus, is also referred to as Giant Moss. It is distinctive because it has a unique life cycle, does not attach to the bottom and is significantly larger than the normal plant found elsewhere. In addition, it has a higher concentration of carrageen, a stabilizing and thickening agent used in many household products.