Linley Valley Park Plan

Linley Valley Park is a large wooded park located in North Nanaimo. The park includes various parcels purchased between 2003 and 2018, as well as lands acquired through subdivision. The total area of the pack is 173 hectares.

The lands are largely forested and undeveloped, with diverse vegetation, meadows, and water bodies including lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands. The park is zoned PRC-1, which provides opportunities for the conservation and enjoyment of natural spaces. This zone will allow for recreational and educational uses that are compatible with the natural features within the park. Currently the park remains undeveloped and is used for informal trail walking, running, mountain biking, dog walking, nature appreciation and rock climbing. The land is a mix of second and third growth forest with the headwaters of two creeks (Cottle Creek and McGregor Creek) starting in the park.

Project Overview

The City is undergoing a comprehensive planning process for Linley Valley Park to establish a clear long-term vision for the park and guide future improvements. The park plan will identify opportunities to enhance recreation experiences and provide a coordinated framework for addressing ongoing challenges while protecting the park’s natural environment. Through this process, opportunities for recreation, conservation, and accessibility will be examined to ensure Linley Valley Park continues to meet the needs of residents in a thoughtful and environmentally responsible manner.

Project Purpose

The purpose of the Linley Valley Park Plan is to significantly improve the long-term climate resilience of the park’s forested landscape by establishing a framework for the protection, restoration, and management of natural areas to better withstand the increasing pressures of climate change, including extreme weather events.

The plan will also support the identification of strategies to reduce potential risks associated with the wildland-urban interface, where adjacent development and forested lands meet. In addition, the planning process will consider both short- and long-term approaches to thoughtfully expand recreation opportunities, enhance the park experience for residents, and address ongoing management challenges in a coordinated and environmentally responsible manner.