With ocean views, waterfalls, and forests just minutes away from most communities, it's easy to see why the vision of a system of parks and trails connecting them is catching on in the RDN. Through RDN Community and Regional Parks' Services, residents from around the region are starting to realize that dream.
Each of the seven electoral areas in the Regional District has a Community Park function. The budget for each of the areas varies, depending upon the level of tax requisition approved by the RDN Board. Some communities within the electoral areas have active Parks and Open Space Advisory Committees, and a program of park development and maintenance. At present, many of the 165 community parks in the RDN are undeveloped, or may have informal trails used by the neighbourhood residents.
Community parks are acquired through land development, purchases, donation, or transfer of crown land from the province. Some of the more developed and popular community parks include Rollo McClay sports field on Gabriola Island, Brickyard Cove in Nanoose Bay and Wildwood Park in Bowser.
For more information on community parks, contact the Parks Supervisor at 250-248-3252 / toll free 1-888-828-2069 or e-mail recparks@rdn.bc.ca.
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The Regional District has a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors alike in our Regional Parks and Trails system ranging from hiking on a mountain trail to camping on the oceanfront or a lakefront.
With over 2026 hectares of land and over 60 km of Regional Trail, the Regional Parks System has grown substantially since its inception in 1995. Regional Parks and Trails operational and development costs as well as acquisition costs for new Regional Parks are funded by the four municipalities in the RDN (City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville, City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach) as well as all seven electoral areas.
In 2005, the Regional Board updated the Regional Parks and Trails Plan to guide the acquisition and operations of Regional Parks and Trails for the next ten years. The RDN will continue to advance the Regional Parks and Trail System and looks forward to working with the community in meeting the Plan’s recommendations.
Following are a list of current Regional Parks:
Mount Arrowsmith Massif Regional Park
Mount Arrowsmith Massif Regional Park covers approximately 1,300 hectares of alpine forests, lakes, and peaks at the top of Mount Arrowsmith. The Regional Park is located within the RDN, and borders another Regional Park at the top of Mount Cokely, also within the RDN, managed by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.
The park which was secured in 2008 includes several popular hiking and climbing routes, and cross-country ski areas, and is widely regarded as the most important free alpine recreation site on Vancouver Island.
Ecologically, the Massif's significance is equally far-reaching, with the two key salmon producing rivers, the Englishman and Qualicum, dependant on its snow pack. The area also provides a habitat for endangered wildlife species such as the White-Tailed Ptarmigan, and the Vancouver Island Marmot.
The Park will be managed by the RDN in cooperation with the Hupacasath First Nation of the Alberni Valley, the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, and the Alpine Club of Canada. An October 28, 2008 Memorandum of Understanding between the RDN and the Hupacasath requires the two parties to form a committee to provide recommendations on park management. The mountain clubs, which regularly maintain trails throughout the Massif, will also take part in the long-term management planning process, expected to start in 2010.
Coats Marsh Regional Park
In November 2008, Clyde Coats saw his dream of turning his family property into a park come true. His 45.7 hectare parcel of wetlands and forest on Gabriola Island is now a Regional Park, thanks to an acquisition partnership between The Nature Trust of British Columbia, the Regional District of Nanaimo, and the BC Trust for Public Lands. The Regional Park features a wetland and stands of rare coastal Douglas fir. Two creeks run through the property and eventually connect to Hoggan Lake. The land also kitty corners the 707 Acre Community Park, owned and managed by the Regional District of Nanaimo. A management plan for the regional Park will developed in 2010.
Beachcomber Regional Park.
This smaller but picturesque waterfront park is located near the end of Beachcomber Peninsula in Electoral Area 'E' (Nanoose Bay). Road Access point: Marina Way, Nanoose Bay.
Benson Creek Falls Regional Park.
A 22-hectare (~55 acres) forested park located on the lower western slopes of Mt. Benson above Brannen Lake in Electoral Area 'D'. The steep ravines (up to 50 metres deep) of Benson and Flynnfall Creeks dissect the park. The terrain makes this park a challenge to move about in, however, those that visit will find informal trails through the forest, and two sets of waterfalls on Benson Creek. Caution is advised, particularly on the steep trails and when crossing the main creeks (no bridges in place on Benson and Flynnfall). Road access points: Doumont Road or Jameson Road.
Mount Benson Regional Park
On February 28, 2006, the Regional District and the Nanaimo Area Land Trust partnered together to secure 523 acres (212 hectares) of land on the north east slope of Mount Benson as a new Regional Park. The RDN and NALT entered into a Contribution Agreement which provides for NALT with the assistance of the Coalition to Save Mt. Benson to undertake a fundraising campaign to cover one half of the $950,000 purchase price.
The property is located in Electoral Area C and is adjacent to the Malaspina University-College Forest Woodlot. It overlooks the City of Nanaimo, the District of Lantzville, the Strait of Georgia and the mainland to the north and east. To the south and west, there is a panoramic view into the central Vancouver Island highland mountains.
For further information on Mount Benson Regional Park please click here: Mount Benson Regional Park
Little Qualicum River Regional Park.A 44-hectare (~110 acre) river corridor located downstream of the popular Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park in Electoral Area 'F'. No formal development will take place until a management plan has been prepared in the coming years. There is access to the river from a number of points, and informal trails exist along parts of the corridor. Caution is advised. Road access points: Corcan Road or logging roads off Melrose Road.
Little Qualicum River Estuary Regional Conservation Area
Acquired in the spring of 2003, this 4.6-hectare (~11.4 acre) waterfront property at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River was purchased in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) as a RDN Regional Parks Conservation Area.
The land acquired from Sherwood and Maureen Marshall is located adjacent to the Marshall-Stevenson Wildlife Sanctuary, which is managed by the Canada Wildlife Service. On the Georgia Strait side, the parcel is bounded by the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area, managed by the Province of BC. The parcel has tidal grass meadows, water channels, and a sandy beach environment and provides essential habitat for fish, various forms of marine life and birds such as eagles and herons. The Little Qualicum River Estuary provides critical habitat for over-wintering waterfowl such as the Pacific Black Brant during their migration periods. This unique estuary complex is one of three sand spit estuaries along the east coast of Vancouver Island.
The RDN and DUC have begun development of a first management plan for the Regional Conservation Area. For further information on Little Qualicum River Estuary Regional Conservation Area please Click Here.
Nanaimo River Regional Park.
A 56-hectare (~140 acre) park is located on the Nanaimo River, just downstream from the highway bridge and Salmon Enhancement Project in Electoral Area 'A'. The RDN contributed to the park's acquisition along with The Land Conservancy, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, and many smaller donors. The RDN has a 99-year lease to manage the park for public recreation; the remainder of the property is to be conserved for its high fisheries habitat value. No formal development will take place until a management plan has been prepared (slated for 2003). There is an existing riverside trail on the northern side of the river. Road access points: Fry Road or Thatcher Road.
Descanso Bay Regional Park - Gabriola Island
Camp by the sea at the RDN's new Regional Park on scenic Gabriola Island. Formerly known as the Gabriola Campground, Descanso Bay Regional Park is located at 595 Taylor Bay Road, only a short distance from the ferry terminal. The Regional Park offers 30 camping sites on a beautiful 40-acre oceanfront property. Two oyster bays provide many delights for kayakers and other boaters as well as picnickers, campers and hikers.
For further information and campground reservations, call the Descanso Bay Regional Park at 250-247-8255.
This partially developed 270-acre lakefront park will provide a main access point to the lake for the public. The site has a campground and a boat ramp and will ultimately connect to the Regional Trail System that follows west along the Big Qualicum River and adjacent to Caves Rd. into the Park, ultimately connecting to the outskirts of Port Alberni. The popular Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park abuts this Regional Park.
Englishman River Regional Park
The Regional District is pleased to be a key partner in the acquisition of 177 hectares (~439 acres) of land along the Englishman River. The Nature Trust of BC has acquired the land through the generous funding support of the Regional District and many other partners including TimberWest Forest Ltd, the Provincial Government, City of Parksville, Pacific Estuary Conservation Program, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and several environmental agencies. The Regional District has entered into a 99-year lease to manage the land as Regional Park.
The large property contains a community operated salmon hatchery, a network of informal recreational trails, and wildlife habitat for a range of terrestrial, avian, and aquatic species. Trail linkages with other regional district and municipal trails and parks will be possible in future years. A detailed management plan will be prepared in the coming years to provide guidance in the land's use, to include protection of the site's outstanding recreational, fishery, wildlife, water quality, and other biodiversity values.
The property can be accessed from the end of Allsbrook Road west of Parksville Park at the red gate, walk around the gate and down the hill into the river valley. The Park can also be accessed from Errington at the end of Middlegate Road in Errington which provides a shorter walk to the hatchery and the majority of the trail in the area.
For further information on regional parks, contact the Parks Coordinator at 250-2483252 or toll free at 1-888-828-2069.
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Recreational walking tops the list of outdoor activities for many people in the RDN. Part of the planning for Regional Parks includes a system of trails to link regional, municipal and provincial parks. The Regional Trail System's motto is to develop a trail system from Park to Park to Park. Click on the link to view a map of the Regional Trails System concept (PDF 2.2mb), which includes existing and proposed trail corridors.
Competed trail links so far include:
Top Bridge Trail: Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park to Top Bridge - This off-road route links the provincial park and resorts on Craig Bay with Top Bridge on the Englishman River. Top Bridge, a popular swimming, cycling and walking destination, encompasses the City of Parksville’s Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park on the east side of the River and Electoral Area G’s Top Bridge Community Park and Englishman River Regional Park on the west side of the River. The three parks are now joined up by the new Top Bridge Crossing, an 81-m pedestrian-cyclist cable suspension bridge. Top Bridge is also easily accessible by car from the end of Chattell or Allsbrook Roads. Distance: 5 km from the ocean to Top Bridge by trail.
Parksville-Qualicum Links. This is a low traffic route utilizing quiet streets to offer an alternative to highway travel for pedestrians and cyclists. The route features designated bicycle routes within the two urban centres, off-road trails, and a pedestrian and cyclist bridge over French Creek. Funding partners for the Barclay Crescent Millennium Bridge construction included the Province of BC, Regional District of Nanaimo, and individual donations. Leave the car behind and enjoy the exercise!
Lighthouse Country Trail. This is a more rustic trail that will one day become a "green highway" linking Qualicum Beach to Bowser. It utilizes and undeveloped highway corridor, a community park and woodlot land to create two loops. Fundraising is underway for a bridge over Nile Creek that is required to join the loops together.
Big Qualicum River DFO Trails. The RDN and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada have entered into an agreement to open up public trails along the Big Qualicum River. Volunteer trail crews are busy blazing and brushing out trail that will eventually link the Big Qualicum Salmon Hatchery with Horne Lake (a distance of approximately 12 kms). Some of the route will be alongside the hatchery service road. Visitors are welcome at the hatchery. Fish viewing in season, self guided information trail, and parking is available at the hatchery on Fisheries road (Qualicum Bay).
In the southern part of the Regional District the RDN trails you are able to revisit the past with a stroll along portions of an old coal railway, and enjoy great views from a section of the Trans-Canada Trail.
Morden Colliery Trail. This trail offers walkers a chance to walk along parts of the coal railway route that once linked the mines of South Wellington to the coal ships docked at Boat Harbour. The western portion of trail is accessed from the old mine site located in Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park at the end of Morden Road. A one km (one way) trail leads through the old mine site area over Thatcher Creek, to the Nanaimo River. Until a crossing is installed, it is necessary to pick up the eastern portion of the trail at either Cedar Road (beside the shopping centre) or at Hemer Provincial Park. This portion of trail is a 2.4 km (one way) easy walk through a mix of forest and residential areas following the railway grade.
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