Even in the depths of winter, the off-season for hiking Mt. Benson, parking spaces are limited. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Mt. Benson

New parking lot opens to ease Mt. Benson congestion

Jun 19, 2019 | 9:47 AM

NANAIMO – More than 100 new parking spaces are now open to accomodate the staggering number of hikers climbing Mt. Benson.

The parking lot, first announced in 2017, opened on Wednesday.

The lot is built before the 24 roadside spots along Benson View Rd. which consistently overflow.

Even in the off-season in the depth of winter, the road is lined with cars and parking could be hard to find.

RDN data showed 8,000 people accessed the Witchcraft Lake trailhead between May and August of 2017.

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The RDN budgeted a little over $1-million to buy the property for the new asphalt parking lot and construct it.

This new 100+ stall parking lot on Benson View Rd. will address a lack of supply for the increasingly popular Witchcraft Lake access point to Mount Benson Regional Park. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A new trail leading from the parking lot to the Witchcraft Lake Regional Trail is expected to be finished by the end of the month.

The new parking lot was a key factor in discussions between dissatisfied area residents and the Regional District of Nanaimo.

Many residents in late 2017 called for closing down the roadside parking area at the end of Benson View Rd., due to congestion and noise concerns.

The RDN is preparing a report on trail usage and upkeep for the summer of 2020.

The new gates are open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the summer, closing at 8 p.m. in the winter.

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