The boardwalk across Witchcraft Lake and 24-stall parking lot meters away will be removed. The RDN board made the unanimous decision at a Nov. 12 board meeting. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

trail infrastructure

Roadside parking and Witchcraft Lake boardwalk to be removed

Nov 13, 2019 | 2:37 AM

NANAIMO — A troublesome parking lot leading up Mount Benson is set to be removed, while the floating boardwalk spanning Witchcraft Lake will also be decommissioned.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board unanimously voted to remove the infrastructure in light of a large new parking lot nearby and complaints from neighbours about misuse of the 24-stall Witchcraft Lake parking lot.

An RDN staff report referenced overnight parking, alcohol use and excessive noise among numerous concerns due to the roadside parking lot near the end of Benson View Rd, which had been created in 2010.

Concerns included prostitution activity in the rural, dark area, which garnered regular security patrols.

Removing the old parking area and boardwalk are anticipated to take place in phases this winter and spring, according to the RDN.

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Decommissioning the boardwalk and parking lot is estimated to cost $60,000.

Yann Gagnon, manager of park services for the RDN, said the old culvert would be removed and roadside ditch at the old angle parking lot reinstated, while vegetation will be restored.

The new parking lot located at 2761 Benson View Rd. opened in June, which includes an off-hours security gate, overflow parking, trail maps, bear proof garbage cans and accessible washrooms.

The RDN invested a $1.1 million to buy land and build an expansive parking lot just south of Withcraft Lake for Mount Benson Regional Park.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes