Municipality of the County of Colchester

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Municipality of Colchester invites you to its newest regional park. We have taken a spectacular coastal location directly across from the Five Islands, moved an historic lighthouse to the site, and created areas for picnicking, fun and relaxation. We hope you will enjoy the park. We know you will love the view.

Park News

About the Park

Park Facilities

Dates and Hours of Operation

Location and Directions

Use of Park for Events

Park History

About the Lighthouse

Park News

Park Celebration and Lighthouse Day
On July 23, 2011, about 150 gathered at Five Islands Lighthouse Park to celebrate this new park and the annual Five Islands Lighthouse Day. The backdrop was an ocean breeze, sunshine, and a spectacular view of Five Islands. The highlight of the day was the unveiling of a plaque in appreciation of the late Gertrude Jenkins' donation of this coastal property to the Municipality in 2001, in memory of her foster son, Cecil Shea. On hand to unveil the plaque were Councillor Tom Taggart and Gloria Lewis, President of the Five Islands Lighthouse Preservation Society. 

Thank you for your support!
The Municipality of Colchester gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from the Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism and the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness for the development of this park. 

About the Park

The scenery is spectacular. The panoramic view from Five Islands Lighthouse Park includes all five islands as well as the Old Wife (part of Five Islands Provincial Park), The Brothers (Two Islands), Cape Blomidon and Cape Split. This is arguably among the best Bay of Fundy scenery. 

You won't feel crowded. Five Islands Lighthouse Park has 8.8 ha (22 acres) of open parkland, almost 300 m (1000 feet) of ocean front, and safe access to a long beach. 

Think seacoast. The park facilities have a nautical theme - lighthouse, ships, timbers and wharves. The historic lighthouse stands like a beacon, welcoming to the park visitors from near and far. Other facilities are new, yet rustic, and weathered by the sun, salt and wind.  

Did you know? The area is named after five small islands - Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg and Pinnacle. 

Park Facilities

Five Islands Lighthouse
This wooden, "pepperpot"-style lighthouse was built in the winter of 1913-1914 and moved to its current location in 2008. It is open to visitors during July and August, subject to change. Admission is by donation to the Five Islands Lighthouse Preservation Society. Please note that the lighthouse is not wheelchair accessible. 

Picnic Facilities
Picnic facilities include an impressive 20 x 40 foot post-and-beam picnic shelter built in 2010. It was designed by Arlington Frame Company of Canning, Nova Scotia. The shelter is wheelchair accessible. Two barbeque grills are located beside the shelter.

Walking Paths
Walking paths with a total length of approximately 1 km meander through the park. These include wheelchair accessible gravel paths that link the parking area to the lighthouse, lookoff, playground, picnic shelter, and washroom. A mowed grass path winds through the open field.

Playground
Kids (and kids at heart), let your imagination sail ... to the Five Islands or around the world! Ship Ahoy! A unique, ship playground was added to the park in 2010. It is designed for children 5-12 years of age. The surfacing around the playground as well as some play components are accessible.

Beach Access
A long, gravel beach (unsupervised) is beside the park. Beach access is from the walking path or the end of Broderick Lane.

Dates and Hours of Operation

2012 Park Season: Open May 12 - October 14, dawn to dusk

Admission to the park is free.

The Five Islands Lighthouse Preservation Society operates the lighthouse as a visitor attraction. The lighthouse is open to the public during July and August. Admission to the lighthouse is by donation to the Society.

Five Islands Lighthouse Park is a day-use park. Overnight parking/camping is prohibited. Several campgrounds and accommodations are located in the Five Islands area. 

Location and Directions

The park is located at the end of Broderick Lane (off Route 2) in Lower Five Islands, Colchester County, on the north shore of the Minas Basin.

Civic address: 140 Broderick Lane, Lower Five Islands

The park is located approximately 20 km east of Parrsboro and 70 km west of Truro, on Route 2, "The Glooscap Trail" travel route. Access Route 2 from Highway 104 at Exit 4 in Amherst, Exit 5 near Springhill, and Exit 11 at Glenholme.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Use of Park for Events

To schedule an event or reserve the picnic shelter at the park, please contact Colchester Recreation or use the online park reservation form.

Park History

In 2001, the late Mrs. Gertrude Jenkins of Lower Five Islands generously donated a 22-acre coastal property to the Municipality of the County of Colchester for free, public recreational use. The property, most of which is an open field, remained undeveloped until recently.

In 2008, the Five Islands Lighthouse was moved to this municipal parkland and became the focal point of the new day park. Park visitors come from just down the road and around the world. 

The ship playground, picnic shelter, walking paths and other site improvements were added in 2010.

About the Lighthouse

The Lighthouse Today
The lighthouse is owned by the Municipality of Colchester and operated by the Five Islands Lighthouse Preservation Society as a visitor attraction. Admission to the lighthouse is free and donations to the Society are gratefully accepted.  

Lighthouse History
This wooden, "pepperpot"-style lighthouse was built at nearby Sand Point in the winter of 1913-1914. Its kerosene lamp was first lit in 1914 and continued to shine until about 1963, when a battery-operated system replaced it. Electricty arrived at Sand Point and the lighthouse in 1967, and the light was changed from white to red.

On the Move
In 2008, the Five Islands Lighthouse needed a new home. The lighthouse was moved in November of that year from private property at nearby Sand Point to its new location at the municipal parkland on Broderick Lane. The lighthouse fits perfectly in its new home.

For details about the lighthouse, please visit the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society.