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The steep ravine section of trail at Benson Creek Falls Regional Park is temporarily closed. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
further upgrades

VIDEO: RDN temporarily shuts down Benson Creek ravine trail to improve safety

May 5, 2022 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO — Crews are adding features to help hikers navigate a challenging section of trail at Benson Creek Falls Regional Park (BCFRP).

The steep ravine trail section of the 80 hectare park above Benson Creek is scheduled to be closed for two weeks, primarily to address the side of the bank off Weigles Rd.

The RDN’s manager of parks services Yann Gagnon said more stairs and additional fencing along a narrow portion of the path are being installed.

“With the added use and recent rain events, some sections were eroding and were quite steep,” Gagnon said, who confirmed safety concerns from the public had been raised.

Gagnon said a 17 metre section of stairs wrapping around a tight corner will improve safety, particularly during wet weather.

While the stairs and a new bridge spanning Benson Creek were done to their satisfaction last year, Gagnon said the ambitious project was completed under the revised $1.2 million budget.

“There were some funds still available in the project budget that allowed us to design and put in place some new infrastructure to add some features to increase the safety of the site.”

The ravine section of BCFRP, just downstream from popular Ammonite Falls, was closed to the public on Tuesday, May 3.

Gagnon said the work will be completed and access restored by Monday, May 16, weather permitting.

Mulch will be placed on the Jameson Rd. side of the gorge during the closure to improve traction, Gagnon said.

Looking back on the two-phase project to improve safety and accessibility at BCFRP, Gagnon said both projects have been well received.

“Overwhelmingly positive is how I would describe it. We had lots of comments on social media platforms and people who reached out to us directly about the work that we’ve done there.”

In March the RDN unveiled new stairs and a large viewing platform at Ammonite Falls, completing the centre piece of phase two upgrades.

The upgraded ravine section of the park just west of Nanaimo city limits opened last June, allowing more hikers additional access to the park’s steeper portions.

Other upgrades to the park in recent years included a new trailhead at Wiegles Rd. and way finding signage throughout the park.

Gagnon said the Weigles Rd. trailhead would see its parking lot paved in the near future, along with the addition of a toilet.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes