JOGGINS, N.S. – In few places will you find more evidence of the power of the Bay of Fundy tides than at the world-famous Joggins Fossil Cliffs, where stories millions of years old can be found carved in the ever-eroding rock faces.
But dealing with that power comes at a cost, as those managing the Joggins Fossil Centre are reminded of every year, when it comes time to repair and replace beach steps damaged by ice and water every winter.
“It’s the Bay of Fundy, and the winds and tides are so high that they usually carry them away,” said Laurie Glenn Norris, education and outreach manager at the centre. “Mostly every year they get ruined and have to be rebuilt.”
The Municipality of Cumberland County foots that bill each year, hiring a contractor for the job, and this year has been no exception.
This year’s repairs were made with more of a long-term solution in mind, however, as the bottom section of the steps now includes new wooden steps attached to a large cement platform, and a section of aluminum steps at the very bottom that can be removed each winter.
Glenn Norris believes the recent work will be enough to withstand the punishment dished out by the bay each year.
“They’re lovely, very safe and very secure,” she said. “The contractors did a great job, and we thank the municipality for all their help.
