parks

Workers erect fences around Italian Square Park Thursday morning, after city bylaws officers and police asked people experiencing homelessness to move out. Jake Rudolph, Nanaimo’s chief administrative officer, said a growing congregation of people camping overnight in the park prompted complaints that spurred the city to take action. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

City of Nanaimo fences off downtown park due to people experiencing homelessness

Complaints about gatherings, overnight camping and safety concerns trigger city response

 

Dozens of trees and shrubs along the Seabold Walkway in Nanaimo were cut down in an act of vandalism earlier this week. (Photo courtesy Adam Hunter)

Act of vandalism destroys dozens of trees and shrubs along Nanaimo walkway

City of Nanaimo’s urban forestry coordinator expects the municipality will re-plant

 

Where the Dude Chilling Park sign used to live. (Cara McKenna/Twitter)

Famous Dude Chilling Park sign stolen again in East Vancouver

The Parks Board will replace the apparently popular sign for at least the third time

 

Altrusan Vicki Calder, left, delivers Bus and Park It packs to Kiara Colyn from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island. (Photo submitted)

Pandemic prompts Altrusa Club project to get people out to enjoy Nanaimo’s parks

Bus and Park It packs include free bus passes and PPE for people experiencing poverty and depression

Altrusan Vicki Calder, left, delivers Bus and Park It packs to Kiara Colyn from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island. (Photo submitted)
A ditch marks the Canada-U.S. border and separates people walking on the road, right, in Surrey, British Columbia, and those gathered at Peace Arch Historical State Park, left, in Blaine, Wash., Sunday, July 5, 2020. Although the B.C. government closed the Canadian side of the park in June due to concerns about crowding and COVID-19, people are still able to meet in the U.S. park due to a treaty signed in 1814 that allows citizens of Canada and the U.S. to unite in the park without technically crossing any border. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

B.C. premier says calling for closure of Peace Arch State Park a federal responsibility

Horgan said he would ‘take action’ if Canada-U.S. border park is flagged as problem by PHO

A ditch marks the Canada-U.S. border and separates people walking on the road, right, in Surrey, British Columbia, and those gathered at Peace Arch Historical State Park, left, in Blaine, Wash., Sunday, July 5, 2020. Although the B.C. government closed the Canadian side of the park in June due to concerns about crowding and COVID-19, people are still able to meet in the U.S. park due to a treaty signed in 1814 that allows citizens of Canada and the U.S. to unite in the park without technically crossing any border. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Restoration work on the historic Morden Mine head frame and tipple, south of Nanaimo, is nearing completion. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Restoration work stabilizes Morden Mine tipple south of Nanaimo

Concrete poured, scaffolding coming down at Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park

Restoration work on the historic Morden Mine head frame and tipple, south of Nanaimo, is nearing completion. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Kinsmen Participark in Beban Park will be closed next week so city workers can remove dangerous trees and invasive plant species. The work is the start of an improvement project that includes replacing signs and fitness stations in the spring. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo fitness park to close for removal of hazard trees and invasive plants

Tree cutting to start in Beban Park’s Kinsmen Participark as part of improvement project

Kinsmen Participark in Beban Park will be closed next week so city workers can remove dangerous trees and invasive plant species. The work is the start of an improvement project that includes replacing signs and fitness stations in the spring. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe

Into The Wild With Writer George Mercer

A passion for parks sets the backdrop for novel series

  • Jan 6, 2021
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe
The 190-step Seabold stairs, damaged by a storm in 2018, have been rebuilt from Vancouver Island yellow cedar and are once again open to the public. (City of Nanaimo photo)

Seabold Park stairs in north Nanaimo open again

Stairs, damaged by storm in 2018, have been rebuilt and reopened to public

The 190-step Seabold stairs, damaged by a storm in 2018, have been rebuilt from Vancouver Island yellow cedar and are once again open to the public. (City of Nanaimo photo)
A widened pathway, lighting and other improvements promise to convert a trail through Bowen Park into an urban cycling commuter link as part of a sewerage upgrade project to be carried out in 2021. (City of Nanaimo image)

Nanaimo sewer upgrade project will transform trail through Bowen Park

City asking for input into project’s design

A widened pathway, lighting and other improvements promise to convert a trail through Bowen Park into an urban cycling commuter link as part of a sewerage upgrade project to be carried out in 2021. (City of Nanaimo image)
Jack Bagley Park redevelopment plan. (RDN image)

$1-million Nanoose Bay park project put forward as a budget priority

RDN lists community parks projects to be included in proposed 2021-2025 financial plan

Jack Bagley Park redevelopment plan. (RDN image)
Rotary Centennial Garden at Maffeo Sutton Park. (Sean Fenzl photo)

New Rotary garden officially open at Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park

Rotary Centennial Garden design inspired by the shoreline

Rotary Centennial Garden at Maffeo Sutton Park. (Sean Fenzl photo)
Photos of 707 Community Park on Gabriola Island, taken from the Regional District of Nanaimo’s 707 Community Park Management Plan 2010-2020. (RDN images)

Gabriola Island’s 707 Community Park expands

Addition enhances wetland protection, completes trail loop, says RDN

Photos of 707 Community Park on Gabriola Island, taken from the Regional District of Nanaimo’s 707 Community Park Management Plan 2010-2020. (RDN images)
Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star) Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

North Okanagan man chains himself to tree in protest of construction

Crews began work clearing space for a new facility Thursday, Aug. 6

Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star) Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park.. (Black Press Media files)

BC Parks considering a day-use pass system for popular locations to avoid overcrowding

Although some parks have reopened, B.C.’s busiest parks have remained shut

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park.. (Black Press Media files)
Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture has launched the ParkIt Challenge to get families out and discovering the city’s dozens of neighbourhood parks throughout the summer months. (News Bulletin file photo)

City of Nanaimo challenges families to Instagram their park explorations

ParkIt challenge set up to offer prizes to cap off days at the park

Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture has launched the ParkIt Challenge to get families out and discovering the city’s dozens of neighbourhood parks throughout the summer months. (News Bulletin file photo)
Sport fields are reopening in the City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo is taking registrations for summer camps. (Nanaimo News Bulletin file photo)

After COVID-19 closures, City of Nanaimo sports fields are reopening

Sports fields opening in Nanaimo and RDN taking registrations for summer camps

Sport fields are reopening in the City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo is taking registrations for summer camps. (Nanaimo News Bulletin file photo)
The public is asked to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when visiting Nanaimo’s water parks this summer. All water parks across the city opened Thursday for the summer season. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo’s water parks open today

Water parks across the city open for the summer; users asked to follow COVID-19 precautions

The public is asked to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when visiting Nanaimo’s water parks this summer. All water parks across the city opened Thursday for the summer season. (News Bulletin file photo)
(Facebook photo/Strathcona Provincial Park)

Campers can get one site for the price of two in BC Parks this summer

B.C. campers disgruntled by full rates being charged for half-capacity double campsites

(Facebook photo/Strathcona Provincial Park)
Overnight camping will be allowed as of June 1 in provincial parks such as Saysutshun Newcastle Island in Nanaimo. Provincial parks opened for hiking and other day uses May 14 after being closed since April 8. (News Bulletin file photo)

B.C. residents can now reserve a provincial campsite for a stay starting June 1

Campsite reservations will only be available to British Columbians

Overnight camping will be allowed as of June 1 in provincial parks such as Saysutshun Newcastle Island in Nanaimo. Provincial parks opened for hiking and other day uses May 14 after being closed since April 8. (News Bulletin file photo)