Gabriola Island residents will be asked for their imput on what they feel are the emerging needs and long term management strategy for future developments in Cox Community Park later on this year. (RDN)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

40-acres added

Gabriola’s Cox Community Park opens huge new section to the public

Feb 21, 2022 | 9:40 AM

GABRIOLA ISLAND — More protected space and added trail connectivity are two huge wins from a sizeable add to a favourite park.

A new 40 acre addition to the Cox Community Park was recently, officially opened by the Regional District, the end of a long process which saw a lot of pent up demand for the extra trails.

Vanessa Craig, Gabriola’s RDN board director, told NanaimoNewsNOW the main trail afforded by the addition was used by locals for years but the official designation of the land detours it away from private property and is the start of something special.

“Instead of people having to go along the main North Rd., will actually have some very nice trails through the park addition. They will be developed over time, there is one really nice trail that’s been put in at the beginning.”

It means greater access to different parks of the Island and added ways for residents and visitors to get around.

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A public consultation process will come in the fall to figure out how offshoot trails will be added to the space.

“I see the opportunity for more connectivity, but until we sit down with the community about what they’d like to see,” Craig said. “I think trail connectivity is actually a big interest in the community so I do think that will happen but I’m not exactly sure what it will look like.”

Through the Islands trusts’ land use planning process, this new land was received through a park dedication as part of the Mallet Creek subdivision development in Oct. 2021.

A map of the trails and access points to the new park can be found using the RDN Parks and Trails Finder tool.

The approximately 1.5 km of new trails helps connect Lockinvar and the Gabriola Medical Clinic. (RDN/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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