Park Management Plan for Parksville Wetlands

May 10, 2023

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 include strategies for education, stewardship, maintenance, conservation, land protection, and cultural management for Parksville Wetlands.

The park management plan will build on several existing planning studies (available on Let’s Talk Parksville) including the Lower Englishman River Watershed Wetlands Study (2015), Parksville Wetlands Education and Outreach Program Report (2019) and the City’s Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Master Plan (2019). We thank the many individuals, groups and organizations who have and continue to contribute to the Parksville Wetlands.

This project will:

Review and analyze historic and current land use, park visitation and recreational uses.
Identify information gaps in the background documents that will be filled by the project scope of services.
Conduct a site investigation including extensive mapping and assessment of its ecological systems and features.
Complete an environmental assessment of the wetlands including an inventory of wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

The draft concept plan for the wetlands will show natural and built enhancements in the park and will include direction and guidance on the types, locations, uses, and activities within different parts of the park including visitor use, accessibility, and supportive infrastructure.

HOW TO BE INVOLVED
During the first phase of this project, there are several ways you can share your insights, knowledge and experience about the Parksville Wetlands:

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE - June 6
A drop-in open house will provide a positive and meaningful opportunity for residents and interested parties to share knowledge, experience, and use of the Parksville Wetlands. During this interactive session, the project team will collect stories and insights from participants to incorporate into the development of the park management plan. The open house will be held on Tuesday, June 6 from 4 to 7 pm in the Forum, Parksville Civic and Technology Centre, 100 Jensen Avenue East.

There will be a kids’ corner with some activities to keep little people busy for a few minutes to provide parents the opportunity to participate in the open house.

LET’S TALK PARKSVILLE
Our Let’s Talk Parksville engagement site provides project background, reference documents, an engagement schedule, and opportunities to comment and ask questions. Please refer to this site for information and project updates.

PUBLIC SURVEY - June 6-27
In June, we will conduct a survey for the public; a chance for you to have your say and share ideas, thoughts and concerns you might have for the Parksville Wetlands. The survey will be open from June 6 to June 27 and will be available on Let’s Talk Parksville and the City’s website. As well, paper copies will be provided should that be a preferred way to complete the survey.

The City of Parksville and consultant, ISL Engineering and Land Services, look forward to this project and receiving input from our residents and interested groups and organizations throughout the process and preparation of the park management plan for the Parksville Wetlands.

For more information:
Deb Tardiff; Manager of Communications
communications@parkville.ca; 250 954-3073