City seeks feedback on options for Westwood Lake amenity improvements

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NEWS RELEASE - Distributed September 3, 2021 11:54 AM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo is seeking feedback on draft improvement ideas for the First Beach and the Westwood Road entrance at Westwood Lake Park.

The initial improvement ideas focus on the area formerly occupied by a caretaker house, as well as the main park entrance off Westwood Road, first parking lot and First Beach. Elements in the site plans are interchangeable and are intended to explore what amenities the public would like to see at this popular park.

The initial draft improvement ideas include the following:

Expansion and additional amenities at First Beach
Improved universal access features, including washroom (new or renovated), trails, and beach and water access
Increased parking capacity, including additional accessible parking stalls
Improved traffic navigation, including improved entranceways and exits
Improved pedestrian circulation and safety improvements
Site furnishings that can be enjoyed by all users
Additional picnic and special event areas
New playground
Improved flow for boat launching
Improvements to trail navigation at entrance area, including an accessible trail network
Storm water management considerations to capture and filter storm water, including pervious paving options to improve site ecology
Additional shade trees
Enhancement of natural areas through new plantings in excess of any removals and vegetation retention
Bike wash facility
Consideration for lifeguarding facilities and emergency access

Westwood Lake Park was specifically brought up through engagement with several community organizations through Phase 1 of the ReImagine Nanaimo initiative with a keen interest in the park and surrounding areas. As part of the Reimagine Nanaimo process, the City of Nanaimo is reimagining key public spaces to make them more healthy, connected, empowered, ecological and enabled.

Project information and amenity ideas are available for viewing, as well as a survey, at www.getinvolvednanaimo.ca/westwood. The survey closes on October 31.

Link to Strategic Plan: Proactively planning for Nanaimo's growth and focusing on community infrastructure supports an inclusive, healthy, safe and desirable place to live as identified in the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan.

Key Points

The City is seeking feedback on draft improvement options for Westwood Lake Park for the First Beach and Westwood Road entrance.
Two site plans for possible amenity improvements, as well as a survey for public feedback is available at www.getinvolvednanaimo/westwood.
Westwood Lake Park was identified during Phase 1 of ReImagine as a key area of interest for improvements through the public engagement process.

Quotes

"Westwood Lake Park is one of the most popular parks in Nanaimo and is used extensively everyday throughout the year. Through this community engagement process, we hope to find out what the public would like to see to further enhance the amenities found at Westwood Lake."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

-30-

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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