Sandscapes book marks 50th anniversary of original Sandbanks

Marking the silver anniversary of the original Sandbanks Provincial Park, the Friends of Sandbanks launched the book “Sandscapes: Exploring the Dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park.”
“We are receiving wonderful comments from everyone who has reviewed the new book and believe we have a “hit” on our hands,” said Mark Despault, who retired from the Sandbanks last year.
Park naturalist and book editor Yvette Bree and the new park superintendent Robin Reilly gave presentations at the book launch on Wednesday. Among the guests were co-authors Joanne Dewey (Life in the Sand) and Phil Ainsworth (Changing Sandscapes). Both chatted with guests and autographed books.
2012 marks the 50-year anniversary of the original Sandbanks Provincial Park.  To celebrate this milestone, and to recognize the significance of the area, the Friends of Sandbanks present this souvenir guide, featuring high quality photos and in depth information, description and background of the dune’s fascinating history, dune formation and flora and fauna habitat.
Although best known for it’s spectacular beaches, Sandbanks is also famous for its dunes.  The park’s beaches – in fact many of its roads, campgrounds and buildings – are situated on two separate baymouth bars.  The West Lake bar is particularly significant, as it is the largest freshwater baymouth barrier dune system in the world.
Today, as one of the most popular parks in Ontario, Sandbanks attracts more than half a million visitors every year.  Many of them visit the “big dunes,” and with this in mind, the park, with the help of the Friends, developed a trail through the area in 2011.  It is hoped that this will reduce the impact of traffic while still allowing people to enjoy and discover this amazing natural resource.
Sales of this book will help the Friends to continue with their  projects. To learn more about the Friends of Sandbanks, visit friendsofsandbanks.org