Parksville Wetlands
Parksville Wetlands is our largest public park covering 35.27 hectares and features a network of trails which are popular for birdwatching, walking, and quietly enjoying the natural surroundings.
The Parksville Wetlands is largely surrounded by a natural succession forest with a diverse range of wetland plant species, unique marsh birds and amphibians. It acts as a water filtration, flood mitigation and contributes to Parkville’s aquifer. The park has naturalized itself into a wetland over many decades through a combination of naturally existing moisture and soil types, land clearing for development, and diversion of drainage water into the park, all prior to this area falling under the City’s ownership.
Past and more recent information identified areas for improvement with stewardship, conservation, education, and eco-sensitive park visitation.
Background
The City has engaged ISL Engineering and Land Services to support the development of a park management plan for the Parksville Wetlands. This fifteen-year, comprehensive plan will provide a vision for the future of the park and identify ongoing park management. The plan will include strategies for educational and stewardship opportunities, strategies for maintenance, increasing conservation and land protection, ecological and cultural management, and accessibility.
The City values and understands the importance of natural spaces for biodiversity, conservation, habitat, and recreation. Stewardship of these spaces is integrated into our Official Community Plan, the Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan and once finished, the new Urban Forest Strategy, along with many other studies and reports to preserve and protect green spaces.
Building on the work completed by the City, the plan for the Parksville Wetlands will include habitat improvements responsive to the site analysis, land use mapping and improvements, and will incorporate feedback from the public and interested parties.
The City appreciates and thanks the many individuals, groups and organizations
who have contributed their time and energy to the Parksville Wetlands.
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New Pedestrian Bridge into Wetlands
September 15, 2023
The pedestrian bridge into the Parksville Wetlands from Despard Avenue West, removed in late 2022 due to deterioration, is once again open for use.
This bridge connects trail users from the sidewalks on Despard Avenue and Maple Glen pathways to the trails leading into Parksville Wetlands, Springwood Park and beyond. The bridge location has shifted a short distance to the east to align with existing pedestrian infrastructure and the crosswalk at the Chestnut Street and Despard Avenue intersection. To accomplish this realignment, a new thirty-metre section of pathway was constructed to connect back to the trail system.
Through the replacement process, the City worked with an environmental professional to ensure appropriate access into this area of the wetlands and construction of a pedestrian bridge to meet provincial requirements.
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Parksville Wetlands Engagement - Phase Two Survey
SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.
September 13, 2023
For the past five months, the City has been working with ISL Engineering and Land Services to support the development of a
park management plan for the Parksville Wetlands. This fifteen-year, comprehensive plan will serve as a blueprint for future park planning and development as well as the ongoing management and maintenance of the wetlands.We have completed the first phase of engagement with an open house and survey in June. Phase two engagement for the wetlands included the Popup in the Park open house today and to continue engagement with residents, we are asking for participation in a second survey open until October 16.
Prior to participating in this survey, please review the information provided at the Popup in the Park open house, now available on Let’s Talk Parksville. We are excited to share with our residents, the park concept plan highlighting proposed future habitat improvements, path connections and supportive infrastructure including direction and guidance on the types, locations, uses, and activities within different parts of the park. We look forward to receiving your feedback on the concept plan and park management plan.
The survey may be accessed directly from this LINK, from Let’s Talk Parksville and the City’s website. Paper copies will be provided should that be a preferred method to complete the survey.
The draft concept plan for the wetlands will show natural and built enhancements in the park and will include the type, layout, and extent of the proposed features. These enhancements will be informed by planned ecological improvements as well as anticipated visitor use, circulation, and accessibility requirements in the park.
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Improvements Projects in Parksville Wetlands
August 24, 2023
Replacement of pedestrian bridge
The pedestrian bridge into the Parksville Wetlands from Despard Avenue West, removed in late 2022, is now undergoing replacement. The old bridge will be removed today with replacement work scheduled to start on September 5 and completion expected by September 15. The City has been working with an environmental professional to provide appropriate access into this area of the wetlands and construction of a pedestrian bridge to meet provincial requirements.We wish to remind residents an alternate access to the wetlands is available to the east through the Regional District of Nanaimo rail trail at Springwood Park off-leash park parking or north by means of the Maple Glen walkway.
Pathway repairs
As well, repairs to a pathway in the wetlands is scheduled to start the week of August 28 with expected completion by September
15. The repairs are along the new section which initiates near the Renz Road entrance and parallels north of the railway connecting to the older pathways in the park. The map shows the project area and section of the pathway which will be closed to the public while work is underway. We request park users respect all signage and directions from the contractor.We appreciate the public’s patience while they conduct this work in the wetlands.
This new information was presented at the Popup in the Park open house on September 13.
Parksville Wetlands - 790 Hirst Avenue
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Who's Listening
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Email ggidden@parksville.ca -
