Parksville Wetlands - Park Management

September 15, 2023

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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.

SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.

September 13, 2023

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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.

August 24, 2023

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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.

August 8, 2023

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The City of Parksville and ISL Engineering and Land Services have been working to develop a fifteen-year, comprehensive park management plan for the Parksville Wetlands including strategies for education, stewardship, maintenance, conservation, land protection, and cultural management.

Following the first phase of engagement, we are now excited to share the park concept plan which highlights proposed future park amenities, path connections and habitat improvements including direction and guidance on the types, locations, uses, and activities within different parts of the Parksville Wetlands.

Residents, visitors and interested parties are invited to provide feedback on the concept plan and park management plan by participating in phase two of our public engagement for the Parksville Wetlands.

HOW TO BE INVOLVED

Parksville Wetlands Popup in the Park (drop-in)
Wednesday, September 13
Drop-in 9.30 to 11.30 am
Parksville Wetlands, foot of Despard Avenue

Public Survey
This is another opportunity to share your ideas, thoughts and concerns about the Parksville Wetlands. The survey will be open from September 13 through October 16, available on the City’s website and Let’s Talk Parksville.

The concept plan and park management plan will incorporate community feedback, site investigation, mapping, historic and current land use, environmental observations of vegetation, wildlife habitat, and hydrology. The plan also considers the results of the Lower Englishman River Watershed Wetlands Study (2015) and Parksville Wetlands Education and Outreach Program Report (2019), 2019 Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Master Plan, as well as additional studies and reports provided to the project team during engagement.

For more information about this project, visit Let’s Talk Parksville. Our thanks to the many individuals, groups and organizations for your contribution and continued dedication to the Parksville Wetlands.

June 5, 2022

LINK TO PDF

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 serve as a blueprint for future park planning and development as well as the ongoing management and maintenance of the wetlands.

Following the public open house on June 6, the City and ISL wish to continue engagement with residents. Please share your insights, knowledge and experience about the Parksville Wetlands through a survey, open through

June 27. The survey is a chance to share ideas, thoughts and concerns you might have for the Parksville Wetlands. 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 City of Parksville and consultant, ISL Engineering and Land Services, look forward to receiving input from our residents and interested groups and organizations. 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 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.

LET’S TALK PARKSVILLE
Along with the survey, our Let’s Talk Parksville engagement site provides project background, reference documents, and opportunities to comment and ask questions. Please refer to this site for information and project updates.

May 10, 2023

LINK TO PDF

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