My Nanaimo This Week - June 24, 2020

In this edition of My Nanaimo This Week Nanaimo's first inclusive playground opens, walk and read the story Grumpy Bird at Linley Point Gyro Park, Nanaimo receives a $500,000 Active Transportation Grant and sign up for summer camp! Read on to find out more.

Adjusting to the New Normal

Corporate Services

Although our doors remain closed, the City is definitely open for business! Check out our Online Services page to see how we can help you. 

Public Works

City staff continue regular garbage, recycling and organics collection. Don't forget about the collection schedule tool, which offers a simple way to help you remember your waste collection day.

Parks, Recreation & Culture

- Open- 

Playgrounds, parks, trails, skateboard parks, Steve Smith Bike Park, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, lacrosse boxes, sports fields and dog parks are open with a number of guidelines to follow.

There are six summer camp options available July 6 to September 4. Camps will run from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at  various locations including Beban Park, Bowen Park and the Departure Bay Activity Centre. Visit recreation.nanaimo.ca to register. 

- Remains Closed -

Indoor recreation facilities, such as recreation centres, arenas and pools, as well as City-owned cultural venues remain closed pending reopening guidelines being worked on between the Ministry of Health, WorkSafe BC and other professional organizations, including the BC Recreation and Parks Association. In the meantime, residents can sign up for several classes being offered outside.

Find more information about the City's response on the COVID-19 information page. 

Province Invests $500,000 in Nanaimo Infrastructure

The Province's Active Transportation Grants were announced this morning and Nanaimo is approved to receive $500,000 toward Phase 1 of the Metral Drive Complete Streets Corridor. This project will provide continuous sidewalks, unidirectional protected cycle tracks, raised intersections, curb extensions and marked crosswalks.Grumpy Bird Story Walk

Check out the FREE, self-guided, interactive park and activity Grumpy Bird Story Walk between June 26-28, 2020 at Linley Point Gyro Park. 

The StoryWalk® concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Friendly Reminder about Harewood Skateboard Park

The community is very eager to try out the new skateboard park at Harewood Centennial, but using it before it opens could damage it. Parks, Recreation & Culture are kindly reminding the community to please refrain from using it as crews work to complete the project. Opening announcements will be released next week so stay tuned.

City of Nanaimo Instagram 

Did you know the City of Nanaimo has an official Instagram page? Follow for updates, announcements and community shared images. Tag the City or use #mynanaimo to highlight some of your favourite places, activities and scenery so they can be shared!Maffeo Sutton Park Playground now open

The Maffeo Sutton Inclusive Playground project is a partnership between the City of Nanaimo, Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, the Nanaimo Child Development Centre, Tire Stewardship of BC and other community organizations. Together they brought Nanaimo's first inclusive playground to reality!

The playground features improved safety surfacing made out of recycled tires and wood fibre replacing the pea gravel. Both of these surfaces allow those with mobility challenges easier and improved access throughout the area.

Another exciting feature of the playground includes First Nations art pieces created by local artist, Noel Brown. Through his art and the design of the space, a story unfolds that depicts life along the Millstone River with Coho salmon.

This is Phase 1 of the playground project with Phase 2 expected in 2023. 

Lights on for Lisa

Mayor Krog proclaims June 28 Justice for Lisa Marie Young and on June 30 the Bastion will be lit in her honour. Lights on for Lisa encourages the community to leave their patio lights on in support of the day she was reported missing. 

Taxes due July 2

Just a reminder, property taxes are due July 2. Don't forget to claim your Home Owner Grant! If you did not receive your property tax notice or have any questions, please call 250-755-4415.

 Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

• June 24, Health and Housing Task Force, 3 pm
• June 25, Design Advisory Panel Meeting, 5 pm
• June 29, Special Council Meeting, 1 pm

Visit the Meetings, Documents and Videos page on the City website to view upcoming meetings, agendas and past meeting videos or visit the Council Meeting Summaries page to read a recap of decisions made in previous meetings. 

Here's a recap of City news:

• Province invests in pedestrian, cyclist infrastructure for Vancouver Island, the Islands
• Indigenous artists collaborate on art for Harewood Skatepark
• Maffeo Sutton Inclusive Playground opens
• City of Nanaimo Fire Rescue applauds FireSmart efforts on Protection Island 
• Annual water quality testing in Departure Bay taking place
• City of Nanaimo to reopen sports fields and sport courts