Parksville Pathway

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The Parksville pathway project is part of a larger initiative to enhance accessible pedestrian connectivity in the City. The project involves collaboration with The Nature Trust of British Columbia(External link) and their partners in creating a pathway on land owned by The Nature Trust of BC and the City within the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Qualicum and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations.

This project was identified by the City in the 2013 Official Community Plan as a key objective and included in the 2016 Master Transportation Plan and the 2019 Parks, Trail and Open Spaces Master Plan for future pathway connectivity.

The goal of the pathway project is to connect Parksville Community Park to the north end of Shelly Road and the trailhead to The Nature Trust of BC property. The pathway design will provide passive recreation with natural and cultural education experiences weaved throughout the route using local building materials, art and culturally appropriate interpretive signage. The pathway will be designed to respond to the varying environmental constraints along the route, minimize impacts to the surrounding lands and support improvements and protection of the habitat. The pathway between Nerbus Lane and Shelly Road will be permeable and not impact natural stormwater infiltration. At the west end of the pathway, the design will continue with an accessible route along the Nerbus Lane road right-of-way to Corfield Street and provide a crosswalk connecting to a path into Parksville Community Park. On the east end of the pathway, the design will formalize the parking area and create a suitable trailhead for The Nature Trust of BC property, as well as the new pathway.

An environmental impact assessment of the route was completed in 2021 by WSP Canada Inc which identified environmental constraints, next steps, and recommendations for developing a pathway between Nerbus Lane and Shelly Road. The project will formalize a route that is currently used by people traversing along Nerbus Lane into lands owned by The Nature Trust of BC, which include the Englishman River estuary, and through to the north end of Shelly Road. The project area is within the Parksville-Qualicum Wildlife Management Area which is managed by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

The route has been in existence since the 1970s and is currently informal and unmaintained. The pathway route has been confirmed over the property owned by The Nature Trust of BC through a statutory right-of-way specifically for the development of a pedestrian pathway. The route is about 1,100 metres in length and passes through sensitive riparian and estuarine areas. A second statutory right-of-way agreement exists for municipal sewer utilities running below ground from the end of Nerbus Lane to Mills Street.

The Parksville pathway project is part of a larger initiative to enhance accessible pedestrian connectivity in the City. The project involves collaboration with The Nature Trust of British Columbia(External link) and their partners in creating a pathway on land owned by The Nature Trust of BC and the City within the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Qualicum and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations.

This project was identified by the City in the 2013 Official Community Plan as a key objective and included in the 2016 Master Transportation Plan and the 2019 Parks, Trail and Open Spaces Master Plan for future pathway connectivity.

The goal of the pathway project is to connect Parksville Community Park to the north end of Shelly Road and the trailhead to The Nature Trust of BC property. The pathway design will provide passive recreation with natural and cultural education experiences weaved throughout the route using local building materials, art and culturally appropriate interpretive signage. The pathway will be designed to respond to the varying environmental constraints along the route, minimize impacts to the surrounding lands and support improvements and protection of the habitat. The pathway between Nerbus Lane and Shelly Road will be permeable and not impact natural stormwater infiltration. At the west end of the pathway, the design will continue with an accessible route along the Nerbus Lane road right-of-way to Corfield Street and provide a crosswalk connecting to a path into Parksville Community Park. On the east end of the pathway, the design will formalize the parking area and create a suitable trailhead for The Nature Trust of BC property, as well as the new pathway.

An environmental impact assessment of the route was completed in 2021 by WSP Canada Inc which identified environmental constraints, next steps, and recommendations for developing a pathway between Nerbus Lane and Shelly Road. The project will formalize a route that is currently used by people traversing along Nerbus Lane into lands owned by The Nature Trust of BC, which include the Englishman River estuary, and through to the north end of Shelly Road. The project area is within the Parksville-Qualicum Wildlife Management Area which is managed by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

The route has been in existence since the 1970s and is currently informal and unmaintained. The pathway route has been confirmed over the property owned by The Nature Trust of BC through a statutory right-of-way specifically for the development of a pedestrian pathway. The route is about 1,100 metres in length and passes through sensitive riparian and estuarine areas. A second statutory right-of-way agreement exists for municipal sewer utilities running below ground from the end of Nerbus Lane to Mills Street.

  • City of Parksville and The Nature Trust of British Columbia Partner to Protect Critical Habitat along the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River

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    September 28, 2023

    LINK TO PDF(External link)

    The Nature Trust of BC and the City of Parksville partner to conserve 13 acres of riparian habitat along the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River and establish an agreement to cooperate on the completion of a community pathway.

    Sept 28, 2023, Parksville, Vancouver Island: The City of Parksville (External link)and The Nature Trust of British Columbia(External link), a leading non-profit land conservation organization in BC, announce plans to conserve an ecologically important property along the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River in perpetuity at 130 Shelly Road. The 5.2ha (13 acre) property contains important floodplain, riparian and forested habitat immediately adjacent to the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River and supports numerous species of fish and wildlife throughout the year. The partners also announced an agreement to cooperate on the completion of a community pathway designed to protect ecologically and culturally significant areas while providing links to the existing trails that access the natural beauty of one of Vancouver Island’s most ecologically important estuaries with a spectacular coastline and an active salmon river.

    Recognizing the ecological and community values of the area and the City of Parksville’s commitment to natural asset management, the City has agreed to donate $1.8 million of the property’s appraised value of $2.6 million to this project. Once built, the pathway will extend from the eastern terminus of Nerbus Lane to the northern terminus of Shelly Road. The partnership between the City of Parksville and The Nature Trust of BC is a milestone towards increasing connectivity within the Parksville region while ensuring this critical area is protected in perpetuity.

    “We are thrilled to partner with The Nature Trust of BC to protect this vital area and create a pathway to showcase this breathtaking estuary. The City of Parksville is committed to create a safe and accessible pathway which will allow the community to enjoy this natural haven while ensuring its protection for generations to come,” said Mayor Doug O’Brien, City of Parksville.

    The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River estuary is one of British Columbia’s most endangered rivers due to declining fish stocks. It is also one of the most important salmon spawning rivers on the mid coast of Vancouver Island, providing habitat for all five species of salmon as well as trout species such as rainbow, cutthroat, and steelhead. The area is in a Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone (CDFmm) - currently only 11.5% of these rare ecosystems are conserved.

    The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River estuary and the nearshore coastal area is also an internationally significant habitat for migratory and breeding birds, and many other species, like black bear, cougar, deer, river otter, and Roosevelt Elk.

    The acquisition of this property expands The Nature Trust of BC’s existing conservation properties near the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River and in the Regional District of Nanaimo. Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of The Nature Trust of BC, explains: “Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River is one of the most ecologically important estuaries in BC , providing essential riparian habitat for fish, birds, mammals, and amphibians. The benefits of conservation ripple out far and wide, with a direct impact on wildlife, people, and our planet. That’s why we’re proud to work with the City of Parksville and Snaw-naw-as First Nation to safeguard our future by protecting these vibrant ecosystems.``

    The Nature Trust of BC and the City of Parksville will work closely with the Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation to support the long-term stewardship and management of this area and in the design of the community pathway including interpretive signage. This builds on the stewardship and restoration work that The Nature Trust of BC and the Snaw-naw-as Nation have implemented at the estuary spit, the ongoing inventory and monitoring of the estuary as well as the fish habitat restoration work completed on the lower river. In September 2022, The Nature Trust of BC entered into a Stewardship and Management Agreement with the Snaw-Naw-As Nation which recognizes the Nation as a rights holder to manage their lands and resources, improve stewardship with ecosystem-based land use planning, and protect the cultural and ecological values of traditional lands. The land at 130 Shelly Road will be a part of this agreement.

    “Everything is connected. From the mountains to the shoreline and everything in-between, it is all one thing. It is our responsibility to protect and care for all things connected to Kwa’a’luxw. Snaw-naw-as has a meaningful partnership with The Nature Trust and other stewardship groups with the watershed in mind for future generations. Working together and moving forward is the goal.” Chris Bob, Snaw-Naw-As community member.

    Once constructed, the pathway will improve accessibility and walkability in the community with linking trails, parks, and green spaces and will include interpretive signage that not only highlights the ecological richness of the area but will also share the important cultural history of the river and estuary. The City of Parksville will assume all costs for the design, development, and maintenance of the pathway, while The Nature Trust of BC is responsible for conservation and management of the land in perpetuity.


    ABOUT:
    City of Parksville
    In the heart of Oceanside, on the sheltered east coast of Vancouver Island, the City of Parksville, with a population nearing 14,000 is an active community of urban professionals, families with young children and retirees who have chosen to live in our community for the quality of life and the region's natural environment.

    LEARN MORE:
    Visit: www.parksville.ca(External link)
    Twitter: @City_Parksville(External link)
    Facebook: @cityparksville(External link)
    Instagram: @parksvillecity(External link)

    CONTACT:
    City of Parksville
    Mayor Doug O’Brien(External link)
    mayor@parksville.ca(External link)

    Deb Tardiff
    Manager of Communications
    communications@parksville.ca(External link)
    250 954-3073

    ABOUT:
    The Nature Trust of British Columbia
    The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a leading non-profit land conservation organization with over 50 years of success protecting and caring for B.C.’s most critical habitats. Since 1971, The Nature Trust of BC and its partners have acquired more than 73,000 hectares (180,000 acres) of ecologically significant land to save vulnerable wildlife, fish and plants.

    LEARN MORE:
    Visit: www.naturetrust.bc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter: @NatureTrustofBC(External link)
    Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NatureTrustofBC(External link)
    Follow us on Instagram: @NatureTrustBC(External link)

    CONTACT:
    The Nature Trust of BC
    Alicia Collyear, Account Director
    Naturetrust@yulupr.com(External link)
    604-558-1656

    For more information:
    Deb Tardiff
    Manager of Communications
    250 954-3073; communications@parksville.ca(External link)

Page last updated: 24 Sep 2024, 04:48 PM