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Fewer people thrill-jumping off Covehead Bridge, officials say

Officials from Parks Canada say fewer people are jumping off Covehead Bridge, and they credit a special guardrail erected last spring. The barrier curves outward, and was designed to make the bridge difficult to scale.

Parks Canada says barrier installed this spring is working ... sort of

Jessica Doria-Brown · CBC News ·
The guardrail along Covehead Bridge
The guardrail along Covehead Bridge was erected this spring, as part of renovations to the bridge designed to add more space for pedestrians and cyclists. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC News)

Officials from Parks Canada say fewer people are jumping off Covehead Bridge, and they credit a special guardrail erected last spring. The barrier curves outward, and was designed to make it difficult to scale.

Jumping off the Covehead Bridge has long been a recreational pastime for locals and visitors alike. 

The barrier at Covehead Bridge curves outward
The new barrier at Covehead Bridge curves outward, and was designed to make the bridge difficult to scale. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC News)

But Parks Canada says thanks to the new barrier, fewer people are taking the plunge.

"Staff have noticed it around their patrols around the park, they just haven't noticed as many people jumping," said Barbara MacDonald, External Relations manager for Parks Canada in P.E.I.

She says jumping anywhere in the area is dangerous because of the tides, boat traffic, and the potential for dangerous objects under the water.

Barbara MacDonald, External Relations manager for Parks Canada in P.E.I, says the goal of the guardrail is to ensure visitor safety, not to prevent anyone from having fun. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC News )

Still jumping off wharf

Jumping enthusiasts, however, continue to jump off Covehead Wharf, which is inside Prince Edward Island National Park, but not part of it. MacDonald says there's nothing park officials can do about it, because the wharf is outside their jurisdiction.

It's not that we want to discourage visitors from having fun.- Barbara MacDonald, Parks Canada 

"It's not under Parks Canada control. We do work with the Covehead Harbour Authority, and it is a common issue that they are aware of," she said.

Some jumping enthusiasts have moved from Covehead Bridge to Covehead Wharf, which is not under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC News)

Jumpers can be fined

Covehead Wharf is not as high as Covehead Bridge, but safety concerns remain the same, MacDonald said.

"We'll continue to monitor and continue to try to educate the public about the dangers of jumping off bridges, and we'll see how things go from there," she said. "It's not that we want to discourage visitors from having fun."

Fines remain in place for anyone caught jumping off Covehead Bridge. Jumping or diving from the bridge has been a prohibited activity under Section 7 of the National Park General Regulations for more than a decade. 

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