By Dominic Abassi

No easy fix for parking shortage at popular Mt. Benson route

Nov 20, 2016 | 7:44 AM

NANAIMO – The gateway to an increasingly popular route up Nanaimo’s Mount Benson is no longer a secret and that has left local residents and municipal staff searching for answers to a major parking issue.

Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) staff are currently reviewing several options to add to the 24-vehicle lot at the Witchcraft Lake Trailhead on Benson View Road. Issues like noise, congestion on the narrow road and environmental considerations are challenges RDN staff are dealing with.

Randy O’Donnell is a Benson View Road resident — he’s not sure what the solution should be to accommodate users of Mount Benson Regional Park, which he says is becoming the Grouse Grind of Nanaimo.

“It’s continually increased in popularity as the news of it spreads, so we continue to get more and more cars up here,” said O’Donnell. “They end up parking on both sides of the shoulders of the road and into the cul-de-sac and so on. It does create quite the traffic problem.”

RDN Parks staff pitched a short-term fix in the Spring to add 12 additional parking stalls beside the trailhead. That idea was swiftly rejected by Benson View Road residents. Neighbours contended the idea was not sustainable long-term and would add to the congestion problem, according to a recent RDN report.

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Trail counting data taken from this past July 17 to August 5 indicated an average of 54 users a day, showing current parking capacity is insufficient, according to the report. A photograph obtained by RDN staff from an area resident showed 66 vehicles in the parking lot and lined along Benson View Road.

“Whatever the four or five different options that they’re considering, we would like them to consult us on it before they get too far along on any one of those directions,” said O’Donnell.

According to the report, one option being considered is doubling the size of the current parking lot at Witchcraft Lake by extending the parking area toward the lake. It’s an option that the RDN considers costly, both financially and environmentally. It also would not meet future demand.

O’Donnell says while he and his wife are fully in favour of access up Mount Benson, improved park amenities over the years have cost them personally. He says realtor evaluations on their property have been done before Mount Benson Regional Park was inaugurated and about a year-and-a-half ago.

“Our property value has dropped by probably $150,000, and that’s despite a lot of improvements to the property during that time period.”

An October report by RDN staff to the Board shows that six options to bolster parking off Benson View Road are being examined, along with a seventh option at Northwood Road, off Jameson Road.

RDN Parks staff declined an interview for this story.