Strong winter storms cause unprecedented damage to Irving Nature Park in Saint John

The Irving Nature Park says this winter’s strong winds and rain brought the most damage to the park in its 30 year history, according to the parks social media. 

This winter’s strong winds and rain has brought the most damage to the Irving Nature Park in its 30-year history, according to the park’s social media.

A video prepared by J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI), which owns and operates the park, shows hundreds of toppled trees — some ripped out of the ground by sheer force.

Reg Woods, park director for the company, said some issues like tree rot were part of the reason the storms this winter created extensive damage.

“I am concerned as the parks director about how to manage the risk of trees that have fallen that may not necessarily be on the ground,” he said.

Woods explained they’ll be working to clear the trees, salvage what can be done so safely, clean up the areas, and replant trees.

“We’re going to plant natural spruces native to New Brunswick,” he said, adding it includes red spruce and white.

According to JDI, the park receives about 500,000 visitors a year. Some of those are regular, including Becky O’Grady, said it can be challenging to use the space, especially this winter with all the storms.

“It is sad. Irving Nature Park is amazing,” she said. “The fact that you can have all these wonderful trails and people can use them year round and when we can’t use them, it is sad.”