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City Moves to Expand Linley Valley Park

Approximately 200 acres of land will be added to Linley Valley Park

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 12, 2014 7:30 PM

Summary

At the 2014-May-05 In-Camera Council meeting, the City of Nanaimo entered into a series of Option Agreements to purchase 221 acres of land within Linley Valley for park purposes. This came as a result of the 2014-Mar-24 meeting where staff were directed to secure these agreements.

These agreements make it so that the property owners cannot sell the property to anybody but the City of Nanaimo and are in place until the end of the year.

This purchase and development of the park will cost taxpayers approximately $9 million taken from reserve funds and will add land immediately west of the existing Cottle Lake Park creating a linear park totalling over 367 acres. The park will protect delicate rock bluffs, wetlands, fish bearing streams and create recreational trails for the community.

At the 2014-May-26 Council meeting, a report will be brought forward for Council to consider amending the 2014-2018 Financial Plan in order to proceed with the land purchase.

Link to Strategic Plan: The purchase of land in Linley Valley supports "Environmental Responsibility" which is one of the priorities identified in the Corporate Strategic Plan.

Key Points

  • Linley Valley contains the largest amount of undeveloped land in Nanaimo.
  • The City acquired the existing 146 acre Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park in June 2003 in partnership with NALT (Nanaimo Area Land Trust).
  • The additional 221 acres will make Linley Valley Park over 367 acres in size.

Quotes

John Ruttan

"Parks like Linley Valley are what make Nanaimo so beautiful and the envy of other communities. Having a park in the middle of the City that is over 367 acres in size will increase recreation opportunities for our citizens while protecting delicate habitat in the area."

John Ruttan
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • At the next two Council Meetings Council will be asked to exercise the option agreements and move forward with the acquisitions and amendment of the Financial Plan.
  • Property Sizes & Addresses: 3518 Hillside Ave (117 acres), 5260 Tanya Dr (50 acres), 5600 Vanderneuk Rd (41.7 acres), 3842 Stronach Ave (8.7 acres), 3651 Rock City Rd (4.3 acres)
  • Property Costs: 3518 Hillside Ave (3.5 million), 5260 Tanya Dr (2 million), 5600 Vanderneuk Rd & 3842 Stronach Ave ($2 million), 3651 Rock City Rd ($130,000)

Images

Linley Valley Acquisition Project
Linley Valley Acquisition Project
Map showing the properties under option by the City of Nanaimo.
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Contact:

Richard Harding
Director of Parks, Recreation and Environment
City of Nanaimo
250.755.7516
Bill Corsan
Manager, Real Estate
City of Nanaimo
250.755.4426

Print News Release

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