The RDN has announced that it has completed a project that will make Nanaimo’s Ammonite Falls more accessible to residents as well as visitors to the region.
The Nanaimo Regional Districts held an official opening Monday, March 21, for improvements in Benson Creek Falls Regional Park, namely a new viewing platform and staircase at Ammonite Falls.
The $ 1.2 million project began in 2020 with improvements to the parking and trail head. A bridge over Benson Creek was also part of the first phase.
“Visitors with a wide range of skills can now enjoy the many impressive features of the Benson Creek Falls Regional Park, including Ammonite Falls, thanks to these new upgrades,” said Vanessa Craig, RDN Director and Chairman of the Regional Parks and Trails Select Committee. in a press release.
The RDN added in the release that the park prioritizes improvements “due to its growing popularity and the ecological impact of enhanced use.” The region says the project will help reduce erosion and encourage re-vegetation. The regional district provided a draft of the project budget, noting that $ 169,000 went for parking and trailhead improvements, $ 398,000 for bridge and trail work, $ 360,000 for the waterfall stairway and viewing platform, and $ 302,000 for consultants, arborists, Permits and other costs.
The Island Coastal Economic Trust provided a $ 103,000 contribution.
“This is a significant step forward in making the region’s attractions more accessible for a wider range of skills,” said Aaron Stone, ICET President, in the release. “Sustainable, year-round and low-barrier facilities benefit residents, but also attract new visitor markets, strengthening the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors.”
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