The Regional District of Nanaimo has made three parks (two in the District 69 region) more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
This was the goal in the 2022 Parks and Trail Strategy, completed with public input.
Within the past year, major improvements to the three popular RDN parks, such as wheelchair-friendly surfaces and grades, tapping trails and audio narrations, have enabled more residents and visitors to enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits that the natural, outdoor settings of parks provide. The parks are the Lighthouse Country Regional Trail on 3480 Lioness Blvd., Qualicum Beach, the Moorecroft Regional Park on1563 Stewart Rd., Nanoose Bay, and Anders and Dorrit’s Community Park on 3734 Jingle Pot Rd., in Electoral Area C (Extension, Nanaimo Lakes, East Wellington, Pleasant Valley).
“We are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful parks in the country, from seaside community parks to regional parks with trails that lead up to the mountain tops. Though not all parks can be made accessible due to the breathtaking but challenging West Coast terrain, we are integrating accessibility features where possible,” said Vanessa Craig, RDN chair. “By providing greater access to these natural areas, we can better support the health and well-being of our residents.”
Accessibility is part of the planning process for all RDN parks projects and is integrated into the project plan based on budget and site considerations. Improvements can range from resurfacing trails to new infrastructure such as installing boardwalks, improving parking lot access and installing wheelchair-accessible ramps, picnic tables and washrooms. The following substantial accessibility features were added to Anders and Dorrit’s Community Park, Lighthouse Country Regional Trail and Moorecroft Regional Park in 2024:
Visitors to the Lighthouse Country Regional Trail will see the trail is separated into north and south sections and enables them to experience the beauty of our rare coastal Douglas-fir forest. The north loop and neighbouring Wildwood Community Park provide about two kilometres of footpath popular with walkers and equestrians. The south section offers about 2.5 kilometres of wheelchair-accessible trail. This section has benches, picnic tables, wood carvings, and a continuous tapping rail for visitors who have a visual or balance impairment. The trail is being resurfaced with gravel to improve accessibility for mobility scooters, wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles.
The 35-hectare oceanfront Moorecroft Regional Park is managed by the RDN under a conservation agreement held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The agreement prioritizes ecological protection and enhancement and permits low-impact recreational amenities within a natural setting. An accessible pathway loops from the parking area to Vesper Point and continues through the meadow and picnic area, enabling visitors of varying abilities to enjoy the spectacular views of the Salish Sea and coastal mountains, endangered Garry Oak meadows and coastal Douglas-fir maritime ecosystems.
At Anders and Dorrit’s Community Park, a flat-grade trail between the parking lot and River Walk bridges has improved access to this park loop. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the history of the land and unique tree species in the park. Audio narrations can be accessed by scanning QR codes on the signs.
For more information on parks in the RDN and to read the 2022 RDN Parks and Trails Strategy, visit rdn.bc.ca/parks-services. To see current RDN Parks projects, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/rdn-parks-and-trails.
