Metro Vancouver plans new $40-million park with camping on Bowen Island
Tiffany Crawford
The Vancouver Sun
The preliminary concept for the park includes day-use picnic areas, trails with ‘impressive viewpoints,’ access to the beach, and a supervised overnight camping area.
Metro Vancouver is buying 97 hectares of land for a new regional park on Bowen Island jpg
Metro Vancouver is planning to buy $40 million worth of land on Bowen Island to turn into a regional park that will include camping areas.
The regional district said Wednesday that it plans to purchase 97 hectares, or 24 parcels of land, at Cape Roger Curtis on the waterfront for a park that will incorporate both day use and overnight camping.
“Regional parks safeguard natural areas that are home to important ecosystems and contribute to the health and well-being of our residents by connecting them with natural spaces,” said Sav Dhaliwal, chair of Metro Vancouver’s board of directors, in a statement.
Metro Vancouver is buying 97 hectares of land for a new regional park on Bowen Island jpg
He said the park supports climate action and regional growth targets. Metro Vancouver is looking for other funding partners to help acquire and develop the regional park.
The park is located within Skwxwú7mesh úxwumixw/Squamish Nation territory, and Metro said discussions are underway for the development and stewardship of the park.
“This regional park will make it easier for current and future generations to enjoy nature and help to preserve the coastal ecosystem, which the Squamish Nation has stewarded since time immemorial,” said Skwxwú7mesh úxwumixw/Squamish Nation spokesperson Sxwíxwtn, in a statement.
“We look forward to working in partnership with Metro Vancouver and Bowen Island Municipality to see how we can incorporate our language and culture in the park planning process.”
The preliminary concept for the park includes day-use picnic areas, trails with “impressive viewpoints,” access to the beach, and a supervised overnight camping area with three group camps, as well as around 50 walk-in/bike-in tent sites, 35 accessible drive-in tent sites, and 10 tent cabins, according to Metro Vancouver.
Recreational vehicle and trailer camping will not be permitted. If the land is successfully added to the Metro Vancouver regional parks system, planning and design will continue through 2023, the regional district said.
“This new regional park initiative is incredible news, not just for Bowen Island, but for the entire region,” said Gary Ander, mayor of Bowen Island Municipality. “Cape Roger Curtis holds some of the most unique ecological characteristics in the region — and this park enhances local efforts by the Bowen Island Conservancy and many islanders to protect the area.”
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