Horses can now be safely unloaded from trailers for a ride along south Nanaimo's many trails. (submitted/RDN)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

horseback

Expansive horse trailer parking lot built on Timberlands Rd.

Mar 6, 2021 | 7:18 AM

NANAIMO — Equestrians won’t have to worry about unloading their horses on crowded roads south of Nanaimo.

Expansion and construction of a 150 foot parking area for horse trailers on Timberlands Rd. was recently completed. The roughly $31,000 project also installed a mounting block for riders at the edge of the parking lot.

Lynn deVries, central Vancouver Island chapter chair of the Back Country Horsemen of B.C., told NanaimoNewsNOW riders would previously have to park along Timberlands Rd. despite the large size of their trailers.

“We’re so restricted in access to the trails right now because of the desire for so many people to be out in the backcountry. When you drive up to a lot of these backcountry areas they’re already full. Horse people tend to not want to be in those areas, fearful they can’t get turned around or safely unload their horses.”

deVries said a lack of space at trailheads and parking lots for riders of all types is a problem seen throughout Vancouver Island.

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“It’s a very historical issue. As land becomes more valuable, as development increases, these areas we commonly use become overwhelmingly busy. We’ve gone from areas where you’d see three cars parked to 35.”

The project took roughly four years to build, from the first suggestion to the RDN to the official opening.

It’s one of only a few dedicated equestrian parking lots throughout the RDN.

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