A new shelter area at the Steve Smith Bike Park in Nanaimo is seen as the next enhancement to the well-used facility, partially funded through the City's Partners in Parks program. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

niche amenities

Trio of community park projects advancing in Nanaimo

Dec 15, 2024 | 5:49 AM

NANAIMO — Organized community members are making life easy for City officials in getting park and recreation improvements built in their neighbourhoods.

Three projects were supported by councillors on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at a finance and audit committee meeting, which saw a total of $100,000 spent through the City of Nanaimo’s ‘Partners in Parks’ (PIP) program.

Included in the work is a new 46-foot by 23-foot hard surface sport court at Everest Drive Park (off Doumont Rd.) at a cost of $45,000, which would enable a growing Nanaimo neighbourhood easier access to playing hockey, basketball or other court-based games.

Seating and other amenities would be also added to complement a small playground installed, also through the PIP program, in 1998.

Local residents have committed to fundraise and provide volunteer labour in order to push the project over the finish line.

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Trio of community park projects advancing in Nanaimo

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Other projects given the green light were storage and seating options at Beauford Food Forest (off Townsite Rd.) and a shade structure at the Stevie Smith Bike Park at Beban Park.

A new shelter at the bike park has been a long-time goal for caretakers of the property.

Volunteers will also provide labour to go along with $40,000 in City money for materials and permitting costs.

The park saw its most recent upgrade this past fall with installation of new lighting which allows for active use of the park until 10 p.m. year round.

City deputy director of parks and natural areas Charlotte Davis told Councillors the projects which are funneled through PIP are focused around small community development.

“They’re often created when a member of public calls us and says ‘hey, we’ve got 50 kids in this playground and it’s really not meeting our needs anymore’, or ‘we’ve got a group of cyclists we’d like to support’, and it’s really something that’s maybe quite niche to that neighbourhood or specific area.”

She said the success and expediency of a project has a direct link to how organized and shovel-ready a local group is.

The Partners in Parks program offers $100,000 annually to help offset community park upgrades.

It was used to help push a new playground in Wipper Park across the finish line in October.

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