There are many options available about how to best use the East Wellington Park location. (City of Nanaimo)

By Spencer Sterritt

park it here

Community shares hopes and concerns for East Wellington Park

Jan 21, 2020 | 7:59 AM

NANAIMO — Developing a park on East Wellington Rd. is one step closer to reality.

An open house about the park just south of Cathers Lake was held on Saturday, Jan. 18 to consult the community about what they’d like to see at the site and any concerns they had. Approximately 75 people braved the winter weather to attend the open house.

Madeline Koch, the parks and open space planner for the City of Nanaimo, reported strong community interest in the project.

“The bottom line is people love this park. There’s a lot of interest from diverse user groups.”

The park is currently heavily used as an off-leash dog park and astronomy activities.

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Koch said numerous partnerships could turn the park into a major hub of activity and community cooperation, including Vancouver Island University and Nanaimo Food Share.

Members of Nanaimo Food Share were on hand at the open house to promote urban agriculture.

Executive director Jen Cody said utilizing the land at East Wellington Park will have a positive effect on all of Nanaimo.

“What it means for the community is increased food security, increased skills connected to growing food and the potential for our whole community to produce food.”

Cody said taking advantage of available space for food production is important as resources dwindle across the world.

“On the island we import 95 per cent of our food. We’re vulnerable in being able to produce enough food for our population. By being able to train people and demonstrate the need still exists, then we’re able to build the capacity for us to be more food secure and adapt to climate change.”

Cody said food from places like California and Europe are becoming less and less available, increasing the need for local production.

An application to the province to use the area for non-farming related activities will now be submitted to the Agricultural Land Commission.

The area’s master plan will return to Nanaimo council for consideration.

— with files from Kyle Ireland

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: spencer_sterrit