Oak Point: New Brunswick's Coastal Gem

Oak Point in New Brunswick, Canada, is a small community in Greenwich Parish, with a beach, a campground, and a park. It is situated at the northern end of Long Reach, a wide, straight section of the Saint John River that runs along the west side of the Kingston Peninsula. Oak Point features the tallest lighthouse on the St. John River, which was established in 1869 and has been in operation since 1870. The area is also known for its natural beauty, including oak trees over 100 years old and a multitude of birds that can be viewed in their natural habitat.

Oak Point is a small community in Greenwich Parish, New Brunswick

Oak Point has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. In 1848, a petition was presented to the Colony of New Brunswick's House of Assembly, calling for the construction of a lighthouse at Oak Point due to the treacherous currents along the river. While the petition was not immediately successful, in 1869, the Department of Marine established six beacon lights in the area, including one at Oak Point. The current Oak Point Lighthouse was built in 1902 and is a square wooden building with sloping sides, painted white, and surmounted by a square wooden lantern painted red. It stands at 48 feet tall and is located within the Oak Point Provincial Park.

The community is also home to the Kiwanis Oak Point Campground and Park Beach, which offers a range of amenities for visitors, including washrooms, showers, and a picnic shelter. The beach is known for its fine sand and rocky shoreline, and the area boasts oak trees over 100 years old. The tallest lighthouse on the St. John River system can also be found here, along with a multitude of bird species in their natural habitat.

In recent years, the Canadian Coast Guard has undertaken remediation efforts at Oak Point Range to restore the area to its natural state. This includes levelling uneven ground and removing man-made pooling water to facilitate future vegetation clearing and improve navigation along the Miramichi River.

Oak Point is home to a historic lighthouse

Oak Point, a small community in Greenwich Parish, New Brunswick, is home to a historic lighthouse. The Oak Point Lighthouse was built in 1869 and stands at 14.6 metres (48 feet) tall. It is located at the northern end of Long Reach, a wide and straight section of the Saint John River that runs along the west side of the Kingston Peninsula. The treacherous currents and dangerous ice conditions along this stretch of the river made the lighthouse essential for navigating the waters.

In the early days of Oak Point Lighthouse, several islands, including Rush Island, Isle of Pines, Rocky Island, and Grassy Island, posed obstacles for mariners. A petition signed by over 100 merchants and shipowners of the City and County of Saint John called for the construction of a lighthouse at Oak Point in 1848. However, it wasn't until 1869 that the Department of Marine established six beacon lights in the area, including the one at Oak Point. The current Oak Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1902, is a square wooden building with sloping sides, painted white, and surmounted by a square wooden lantern painted red.

The light from the Oak Point Lighthouse could be seen up to 12 miles away and was a crucial aid for vessels navigating the Saint John River. The lighthouse was operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, and while the grounds are open to visitors, the tower itself is closed. The Oak Point Lighthouse stands as a testament to the maritime history of the region and is recognised as a historic site.

The Oak Point Range Front Lighthouse, also located in New Brunswick, was established in 1869 to guide vessels through Miramichi Bay and up the Miramichi River. While this lighthouse is now located on private property, it is another example of the historical significance of lighthouses in the region.

The Canadian Coast Guard is working to restore the Oak Point Range

Oak Point is a small community in Greenwich Parish, New Brunswick. The Canadian Coast Guard is working to restore the Oak Point Range by levelling uneven ground and removing man-made pooling water to allow for future vegetation clearing. The current state of the Oak Point Range easement is partially impassable due to historic vegetation clearing procedures, and it cannot be cleared safely and efficiently for accurate use of the navigational aid.

The Canadian Coast Guard plans to use heavy machinery, such as an excavator and dozer, to level the uneven ground and allow for ATV passage for clearing purposes. Culverts will be installed to manage pooling water. The pooling water is not recognised as a waterbody as it was created by the Canadian Coast Guard during previous vegetation clearing efforts. Siltation mitigation measures will be used wherever necessary.

This infrastructure is located along the north side of the Miramichi River and is required for the Aids to Navigation Program to mark navigational significance for mariners. The Canadian Coast Guard's work to restore the Oak Point Range is part of their overall mission to ensure the safety of mariners in Canadian waters and protect Canada's marine environment. They support Canada's economic growth through the safe and efficient movement of maritime trade and help ensure the country's sovereignty and security through their presence in Canadian waters.

Oak Point has a campground and park beach

Oak Point in New Brunswick, Canada, has a campground and park beach. The Kiwanis Oak Point Campground and Park Beach is a freshwater, unsupervised swimming beach with fine sand and rocks. It has several amenities, including washrooms, showers, and a picnic shelter. Visitors can admire the tallest lighthouse on the St. John River system and see oak trees over 100 years old. The area is also home to a multitude of birds, which can be viewed in their natural habitat in the marsh. Pets on leashes are welcome at the beach, and there is an indoor activity centre, a waterfront property, a trading post, and washers and dryers available.

The Oak Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1902, is a square wooden building with sloping sides, painted white, and surmounted by a square wooden lantern painted red. The light from the lantern is visible from 12 miles away from all points of approach. The treacherous currents along this section of the river make it unsafe year-round, as only light ice forms during the winter. The lighthouse is owned by the Canadian Coast Guard and is located within Oak Point Provincial Park.

Oak Point is situated at the northern end of Long Reach, a wide and straight section of the Saint John River that runs along the west side of the Kingston Peninsula. Several islands, including Rush Island, Isle of Pines, Rocky Island, and Grassy Island, are found near Oak Point, presenting obstacles for mariners navigating the river. The lighthouse was established in response to a petition signed by over 100 merchants and shipowners, calling for a lighthouse to aid navigation at Oak Point.

The Kiwanis Club, which operates the Oak Point Campground and Park Beach, also had a lease on the Oak Point Lighthouse for several years in the late 1990s. During this time, they built a deck and stairs on the landward side of the tower and operated a gift shop within the lighthouse. The club later installed a window on the ground floor, facing the river, and began offering overnight rentals of the lighthouse. However, when the Coast Guard was notified of these alterations, the lease was terminated, and the deck, stairs, and window were removed, leaving no trace of the changes.

Oak Point is situated at the northern end of Long Reach

Oak Point is a locality in Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada. It is situated at the northern end of Long Reach, a wide, straight section of the Saint John River that runs along the west side of the Kingston Peninsula.

The Saint John River features several treacherous currents, and the waters around Oak Point are particularly hazardous to mariners due to the presence of several islands, including Rush Island, Isle of Pines, Rocky Island, and Grassy Island. In 1848, a petition was presented to the Colony of New Brunswick's House of Assembly, calling for the construction of a lighthouse at Oak Point to aid navigation.

The Oak Point Lighthouse was constructed in 1902 and is located along the northwestern side of Long Reach. The lighthouse is a square wooden building with sloping sides, painted white, and surmounted by a square wooden lantern painted red. The treacherous currents and strong river flow mean that the area surrounding the lighthouse is unsafe year-round, as only light ice forms during the winter.

The lighthouse has been utilised for various purposes over the years. In the late 1990s, the Kiwanis Club, which operates a nearby campground, leased the Oak Point Lighthouse and used it as a gift shop. They also made alterations to the structure, adding a window and offering overnight rentals. However, these changes were not approved by the Coast Guard, leading to the termination of the lease and the removal of the unauthorised additions.

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