5. Arbutus Park in Youbou is described as an awesome swimming spot which incudes a slide and diving board. Great swimming spot for families! As the weather warms mark this as a must for you and your family.
Is North Cowichan’s Growth Management Survey Luring Us Down an Unsustainable Path? continued from page 58
implications of what is described, it’s more of a reprise of “business as usual” enabling a huge expansion of development on good farmland and in ecologically sensitive areas. Scenario 3 envisions many new centres, including numerous highdensity clusters of apartments and townhouses that will not be in existing cores but in now largely natural, rural and heavily treed areas like Maple Bay, Quamichan and Bell McKinnon.
are equally urgent. A healthy environment is essential to our children’s and our community’s wellbeing, now and into the future. This means we have a responsibility to plan our development in ways that protect our farmland, our forests, our watersheds, and other ecologically sensitive areas. These lands and waters ensure the future of our food, clean water and breathable air - the basics necessary to the wellbeing of all of us.
In these times we all need to consider the rapidly changing world our communities are part of – we are emerging from a pandemic when the needs of the under-housed and/or precariously employed in our communities became more visible to us. These inequalities need to be addressed. The need for affordable housing and food security are real and urgent. At the same time, the dual crises of biodiversity loss and the climate emergency
Please consider our collective future and complete the growth management survey with these thoughts in mind. Have your say! www.northcowichan.ca/OCP Credit Jane Kilthei, One Cowichan
Picnic Parks with Water Features and or Playgrounds 1. Bamberton Provincial Park located in Mill Bay fronts on the west side of the Saanich Inlet and offers warmer water and a sandy beach. Bring the family and a picnic and enjoy this ocean front park that is easily accessed off of Mill Bay Road. From the parking lot the pathway down to the beach is steep but is paved and includes stairs and a wheelchair ramp. 2. Hecate Park located in Cowichan Bay is the jewel of the Bay. This little gem is located beside the boat launch and boasts a natural playground area and several picnic tables to choose from. This little park has become popular for picnickers who want to enjoy the scenery and nature around them. It is a perfect place to launch your kayak or enjoy a quiet date. 3. Jack Fleetwood Park is nestled under the single lane old Koksilah Bridge in Cowichan Station. This little park boasts several picnic tables and river frontage to wade around in on those warmer days. Perfect little spot for cyclists looking for a spot to rest. Limited parking. 4. Glenora Trail Head Park in Glenora has so much to offer. It boasts a wonderful sheltered picnic area and great washrooms. The playground has a little something for everyone and is spaced out nicely for those playing. This park is located on the Trans Canada Trail so bring your bikes along and do a little family jaunt and then relax with a picnic.
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6. Transfer Beach in Ladysmith is the IT place to gather on the waterfront. Some activities can include swimming, picnicking, beach volleyball etc. For the young ones there is a playground and a water spray park. You get all this plus a sandy beach and swimming. This park also has picnic shelters and washrooms. 7. Bright Angel Park has many features to offer on those warm days from picnicking to swimming. The park is equipped with washrooms and a great playground for the younger set. 8. Sandy Pool Regional Park located on Riverbottom Road is well known for its sandy beach and great swimming holes. This park also has over a kilometre of trails. Very popular in the summer with families and for tubing down the river. 9. Maple Bay east of Duncan is a favourite amongst locals as the water is usually calm and warmer. This beach is a combination of sand and small pebbles and also a grassed and shady area. Popular for families and close enough to take advantage for a quick dip on those hot days. Boat ramp near by and easy to launch your kayak. 10. Fuller Lake just north of Duncan is a fresh water lake and is a popular swimming spot. Warm water and sandy beach as well as picnic areas makes this little gem a favourite for many. Turn off of the Trans Canada Highway at Fuller Lake Road and then left on Poplar Road. If time permits take in the Chemainus murals. Image above; Jack Fleetwood Park Submitted by Patty Abbott Visitor Services Coordinator
