Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) has drafted park management plans for both Mt. Parke and St. John Point regional parks on Mayne Island. These plans will provide strategic guidance for on-going operations and management of both regional parks for the next 15-20 years.
Park management plans guide conservation, development, and use of the park over the long-term. The CRD’s aim is to manage these parks in ways that are ecologically sound and supported by the public. The planning process gives First Nations, stakeholders, and members of the public across the region opportunities to provide input into how these areas are managed.
The draft management plans and related comment forms are available online until June 9, 2019. The CRD is hosting two events on Mayne Island in May, providing opportunities to meet with CRD staff to discuss the draft management plans.
May 18, 10am-1pm
CRD Booth at Farmers Market
430 Fernhill Road
May 28, 6-8:30pm
Open House at Community Centre
493 Felix Jack Road
Mt. Parke Regional Park is 49 hectares. It was acquired in 1991 and expanded in 1992. This regional natural area offers forest walks, vistas, bird watching and spring wildflowers. It features the highest viewpoint (185m) on Mayne Island with summit views of other Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland. It currently receives about 12,000 visits annually.
St. John Point is a 26-hectare waterfront property acquired in 2017, and currently in park reserve status. Sensitive ecosystems in the park are at risk and ecologically fragile. Given this, the park is classified as a regional conservation area. The management planning process will consider how best to manage visitor use while protecting environmental values.
The draft management plans and online feedback form are available on the CRD website.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Laurie Sthamann, Communications Coordinator
CRD Regional Parks
Tel: 250.360.3332
Cell: 250.889.8030