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INTRODUCTION
BDA Landscape Architects

In February of 2003, the Town of Grand Bay - Westfield and Enterprise Saint John engaged the firm, to prepare a
Waterfront Development Plan for Grand Bay - Westfield.

The following objectives were established for the development of the plan:
1. 
..		 Identify and rank potential public waterfront access points, activity nodes / park spaces including the preparation of a plan for each site.
2.

 

 Provide recommendations and a plan to link  recommended waterfront access points / activity  nodes / park spaces with the Town of Grand Bay - Westfield’s existing public spaces / trails network, the Lower St. John River Trails initiative (RTN) and the Sentier NB Trails Network.
3. Provide the frame work to establish Grand Bay - Westfield as a major “Eco- tourism Destination” and “Trail head” on the Lower Saint John River system.
4.  To identify grants or other funds that may be available to implement the waterfront development plan.
5. Provide recommendations and a plan to link recommended waterfront access points / activity nodes / park spaces to the proposed Saint John Region “Park & Ride / Bike and Walk Plan”.
The design process included two public open house 
meetings with the community. The first meeting was held
on March 19, 2003 and featured a community workshop 
with participants providing direct input to help shape
the plan. 
 
 
 
 

 


 
Sustainable Development Principles

The Grand Bay - Westfield Waterfront Plan has been prepared following the principles of sustainable development.

The concept of sustainable development originates from the 1987 World Commission on Environment and Development Report (Brutland Report) entitled . The report defined sustainable development as ‘Sustainable
development seeks to merge the economic benefit of development with efforts to enhance the social and environmental attributes of the community

An objective of the Grand Bay - Westfield plan is to establish the framework for a tourism economy in the community.
 

Sustainable development in tourism terms translates into
tourism which satisfies the needs of both residents and
tourists, safeguards the natural and cultural resource
base and is economically viable.

Our Common Future development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

At the public workshop held on March 19th, BDA presented an outline of the attributes of the sustainable tourist market. The following is a summary of that presentation.

The sustainable tourist is an emerging market that has been identified as the fastest growing segment of the
world wide tourism economy.

The sustainable tourist has indicated the following desires.

Sustainable Tourist
Travel for the discovery of and learning about natural environments and the culture of people living in these environments.
Traveling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objectives of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals.

  • Wants to experience and understand the local economy and relationships of residents to the land and sea.
  • Interested in improving their knowledge of the local area. This tourist wants a high level of interpretive nformation, to increase knowledge and understanding of the local environment andculture.
  • Tourist is active and wants an outdoor recreation experience. Hiking and cycling are growing activities, interested in softadventure and pursuits.
The sustainable tourist is a discerning consumer, they are on holiday to ‘recharge their batteries’ and have an
expectation to discover and learn about local environments and culture. The “Essentials of a Quality Tourism Experience’, includes the following:
  • Authenticity
  • Strong Themeing
  • Access/ Visibility
  • Personality Enriching
  • Entertaining
  • Hands- on/ Involved
  • Educational
  • Value- added
  • Deliver Beyond Expectations
The sustainable tourist has very definite preferences when choosing services and activities to support and compliment their holiday. The following are eco- tourist preferences:
 
Accommodation
  • Cottage
  • Heritage or Country Inn
  • Bed and Breakfast
  • Ecolodge


Food

  • Unique locally grown produce
  • Wild plants
  • Fresh seafood
  • Local brands
  • Local recipes
  • Small intimate eating establishments
 Entertainment
  • Markets
  • Festivals
  • Community breakfasts/ suppers
  • Shopping for local arts and crafts
Cultural Experiences
  • Heritage tours
  • Soft adventure packages (walking, hiking, canoeing, boat excursions, etc.)
  • Learning workshops with notable local artists and crafts people (writers, photographers, wildlife observation, etc.)
  • Industrial tours (aquaculture, agriculture, etc.)
     

 
The Grand Bay - Westfield Waterfront development Plan includes a network of park nodes and a system of trails.
The plan includes five waterfront parks.
 
1... Henderson Brook Park

This park is for multi purpose use and includes beach access, a picnic area and several wildlife watching sites along the brook and out into the marsh at the mouth of the brook.
2.  Inglewood Marsh Conservation Area

This open space is a marsh area that has been set aside as protected wildlife habitat. The site offers good wildlife viewing particularly from the Saint John River.
3.  Milligan Brook Linear Park

The Milligan Brook drainage system and wildlife corridor reaches up into the ‘back country’ and flows through the community passing Unity Park and out falling into the Saint John River creating the Milligan Brook Delta. This is an outstanding stream ecosystem. A linear ‘park’ will follow the brook along a combined trail and existing road system linking Unity Park to a passive green space at the mouth of Milligan Brook.
4. Brundage Point Trailhead - (Westfield Ferry Landing)

This site has been identified as the major focus of the community waterfront activity. The plan includes reorganization of existing activities to reduce conflict between uses and the addition of a trailhead building. The highlights of the Brundage Point Trailhead include:
  • Relocate the boat launch and landing area to the south side of the DOT Ferry Service and provide new parking area.
  • Construct a trailhead building to serve the community and tourists. The building will include washrooms, food concession,
  • Day Adventure operators, interpretive displays on the environment and cultures of the river. The existing beach area will be enhanced and remain as the primary picnic and waterfront park in the community.
5. Nerepis Marsh Landing

The Nerepis Marsh has the assets to be a sustainable tourism attractions. To canoe or kayak through the marsh area to observe wildlife and their habitat is a rich experience that will attract outdoor enthusiasts. The landing site is located at the junction of the Nerepis River and the Saint John River looking at the stretch of the river known as Long Reach. A day use park will include a picnic area, a look out shelter and waterfront access.

The Grand Bay - Westfield Waterfront Development Plan includes a complimentary trail network. Two systems are proposed:
 

1. .. A major circulation corridor parallel to Route 177. This trail system will build upon the success of the

Municipal Heritage Trail. It will be an extension of this trail but because of right- of- way restrictions the bike lane will be on the road edge and the walking trail will be a combination of sidewalk and path. This system will also extend into the major neighborhoods along Inglewood and Woolastook Drives. This corridor will include tree planting and directional signage to the waterfront and tourist attractions.
2. Back County Trails. The western boundary of Grand Bay - Westfield backs on the Loch Alva provincial

 protected area. This is a marvelous recreation area for residents and tourists. Two trails linking the community to the protected area following existing right- of- ways along the Highland Road and Hillandale Drive are proposed. A trail user staging area is also included at the former landfill site on Highland Road.