1 | Sunshine Coast Nature Viewing Region | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2 | Lower Sunshine Coast Area | ||
3 | Francis Point Provincial Park | ||
5 | |||
6 | A small park on a rocky headland overlooking the Strait of Georgia. | ||
7 | Sunshine Coast Natural History Society | ||
8 | Geographical Description | Georgia Basin | |
9 | Ecosection | ||
10 | Area/ Trail Length | Park size 81 ha. | |
11 | Seasons to Visit | Year round. | |
12 | Habitat | Second growth coastal redcedar/western hemlock, arbutus, alder and bigleaf maple, intertidal rocky shore | |
13 | Viewing Highlights | A good place for forest birds, waterbirds, raptors and pelagic birds. Intertidal marine life can be found on rocky shore. 3-4 km of hiking trails through woods to shore with excellent views of Strait of Georgia, Vancouver Island and Northern Gulf Islands. The 17 hectare Francis Point Ecological Reserve adjoins the park but is not open to the public without special permission. A dense concentration of reindeer lichen is located in this park, though an area is closed to all foot traffic in order to protect one of the densest areas. A spectacular stand of very old arbutus trees grows on the south end of the park shoreline; with many of them growing horizontally over the sandstone bluffs. | |
14 | Other Features | ||
15 | Main Access | 30.7 km west on Sunshine Coast Highway from intersection of Wharf Avenue and Sunshine Coast Highway (Dolphin Avenue) in centre of Sechelt, or 1.1 km east from Madeira Park Road, to Francis Peninsula Road, then west 3.9 km to Merrill Road. | |
16 | Secondary Accesses | ||
17 | Cautions | Bears and cougars are rare but be watchful. The trail is considered moderately easy but you should be in reasonably good physical condition and be properly equipped with good hiking footwear, rain gear, food and water. Please respect all private land and property. Use caution on the beach (no lifeguards) and watch tides and currents. Cell phone service is not reliable in this area. | |
18 | Jurisdiction | BC Parks, Nature Trust of BC | |
19 | Regulations | No camping or fires. Dogs on leash and are not allowed in beach areas | |
20 | Facilities | Pit toilet. Basic services in Madeira Park; All services in Sechelt. | |
21 | Other Recreational Activities | Swimming, canoeing and kayaking, windsurfing | |
22 | Other Connections | ||
23 | History | ||
24 | FMI | Park Facility Operator Swens Contracting info.scparks@gmail.com 604-885-3714 | |
25 | Links | BC Parks | |
26 | BC Parks iNaturalist Project | ||
27 | Francis Point Ecological Reserve | ||
28 | Nature Trust of BC | ||
29 | Sunshine Coast Natural History Society | ||
30 | Sunshine Coast Conservation Association | ||
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32 | © 2019 BC Nature | ||