The Regional District of Nanaimo is looking at creating new regional trail connections that would link Parksville's Top Bridge Regional Trail and the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail.
This project was presented at the RDN's committee of the whole meeting on March 18.
"The RDN's parks and trails strategy identified developing trail connections as a goal to improve livability of the region and well-being of its residents," said Tom Osborne, general manager of recreation and parks, adding that the E&N corridor from Englishman River to Alberni Highway is a potential connection between the two trails.
This project was first considered in a 2009 'rail-with-trail' feasibility study, but was rated moderately difficult to develop. In 2017, the project's status changed when the City of Parksville constructed a water main along the corridor, which was covered with a gravel access road. The access road has not been formally designated as a trail and has 'no trespassing' signage, but Osborne said it is frequently used for recreation and active transportation.
In 2023, the project was allowed to go forward and the board agreed to spend $263,000 through the Growing Communities Fund. The work will involve improving the existing 3.7-kilometre water main access road from Alberni Highway to Englishman River, and developing approximately 0.75km of new trail on the east end and 0.65km on the west end. This project was also included in the RDN's five-year financial plan, with additional $500,000 from the RDN's reserve funds.
To advance the project, it would require a trailways application with Island Corridor Foundation and new agreements with City of Parksville and Ministry of Transportation and Transit to develop, inspect and maintain the trail infrastructure.
If supported by the RDN board, Osborne said staff will work to clarify permitting requirements, and after that an engineer would be hired to prepare a conceptual design and cost estimate. A report would be presented to the RDN board for approval and then presented to the community for feedback.
Prior to Osborne's presentation, the Nanoose Bay Residents Association appeared as a delegation to advise the board not to allow project to proceed.
French Creek director Lehann Wallace asked staff if the region needs a fancy trail that requires $500,000 to be taken from the reserves.
"What I'm wondering is if there is an opportunity that we maybe ask staff for additional information on what other trail standards could be considered, and does that mitigate some of the costs of the engineering?" she asked.
Osborne indicated that staff can look at the implications of reducing the trail standard.
Nanaimo director Sheryl Armstrong said the project is not an urgent need and preferred a review of other projects that are already in the works before embarking on a new initiative.
"We have to find money some place to finish off these other projects – $500,000 from reserves could go a long way…" she said. "We're jumping way ahead of the game when we've got so many projects that are over budget."
The committee of the whole agreed to receive the trails report for information with the understanding that no further action would be undertaken. Nanaimo director Ben Geselbracht made a motion to leave the trails project in the financial plan and to proceed with it. It passed, with Electoral Area F director Leanne Salter opposed.
