The Regional District of Nanaimo and City of Parksville have reached an agreement to realign a section of the Top Bridge Regional Trail over an existing road right-of-way and on city-owned lands.
The realignment will ensure that this popular multi-purpose trail will once again connect Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park and the resort area of Parksville with the city’s Top Bridge Park and the RDN’s Top Bridge suspension bridge, through to Englishman River Regional Park, according to a joint news release.
“Top Bridge Regional Trail is a valued multi-purpose trail connecting popular Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park and Parksville’s resort area to Top Bridge Park and the Englishman River Regional Park,” said Doug O’Brien, Mayor of Parksville. “The trail is a vital recreational corridor for this region’s residents and visitors to experience nature at its best. Our thanks to the RDN for their vision in bringing this forward.”
The trail work is expected to begin in April and be substantially complete and open to the public by the fall of 2024. The RDN will install wayfinding signage and gravel surfacing to improve the user experience and enhance accessibility.
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“Top Bridge Regional Trail is an important recreational corridor that provides residents and visitors an opportunity to explore and appreciate nature in our region,” said Vanessa Craig, RDN chair. “The Regional District of Nanaimo thanks the City of Parksville for working with us to ensure this trail will again provide access to multiple significant and beautiful park areas, which will support quality of life for our community.”
A chain link fence will also be installed along the east side of the trail that borders the city’s works yard. An existing kiosk will be moved from the Industrial Way trailhead to align with the new trail entrance.
Once complete, the RDN will provide ongoing management and maintenance of the trail and signage under a renewable five-year agreement.
For information, visit https://rdn.bc.ca/top-bridge-regional-trail.
— NEWS Staff