Memorial Ave. in Parksville is set to undergo a massive renovation to replace damaged infrastructure and save 34 trees planted in memory of residents who served in the First World War. (Bill Dean)

By Alex Rawnsley

AVENUE ADJUSTMENTS

Park space added in Parksville’s Memorial Ave. revamp

Feb 7, 2020 | 6:34 AM

PARKSVILLE — The repair and revamp of a favourite downtown corridor in Parksville has branched out to include new features.

An additional $60,000 was approved by city council on Feb. 3 to design and engineer a 9,000 square foot public parkette at the eastern end of Memorial Ave. The funds build on the initial $2 million to repair infrastructure on the road caused by 34 large elm trees lining the road.

The Memorial Ave. exit onto the Alberni Hwy. will be closed off for the parkette as an additional road is built to connect with Hirst Ave. Sidewalks will be widened to allow for future tree growth.

Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne told NanaimoNewsNOW they aren’t considering removing the trees even though they’ve caused infrastructure damage.

“They’re very significant to the residents of Parksville,” he said. “Each one of those trees were planted for somebody that lost their life during the first World War.”

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He conceded two trees could be lost in the construction since they’re “too far gone.”

“The big thing was making sure we could save as many of these trees as we possibly could. It’s without a doubt the prettiest street in Parksville.”

Design and planning is expected to take place through the rest of 2020 with a project completion scheduled for early 2021.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley