Lakeland Ridges Council plans to partner with the province after the park’s closure decision
The newly elected municipal Lakeland Ridges council has taken a first step toward saving North Lake Provincial Park.
At its inaugural meeting on June 8, the council voted collectively to submit an expression of interest to the provincial Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture for a lease agreement to open the beach for the 2026 summer season.
“They are wishful to get the park open, and we said we have an interest,” said Mayor Greg Grant.
“If we are successful, only the beach will open this season. We will need a business plan for leasing the campground next year but the department would have to agree to it.”
As part of the spring budget process, the province decided to close the park as a cost-saving measure. Four years ago, the former Higgs government invested close to $1 million in upgrades to the park.
North Lake Provincial Park has been a cornerstone for family recreation and tourism in Lakeland Ridges, supporting seasonal jobs and drawing visitors to the area.
A petition containing 1,200 names was delivered to the provincial Legislature shortly after the closure was announced. North Lake was one of 10 sites in New Brunswick with fewer than 5,000 visitors that the province targeted for closure this year.
The government then announced it would be seeking community partners to take them over for public use.
