The Regional District of Nanaimo is updating its Parks and Trails Classification system.
A preliminary draft of the project was presented by staff at the RDN Committee of the Whole meeting, held May 20 for comments and questions.
The primary goal of the initiative, conducted by RDN parks staff with support from RC Strategies, is to develop formalized classification system policy that will improve clarity and consistency in how the regional district plans, manages and communicates about the regional and community parks and trails.
Each park managed by the RDN will be formally assigned an overall classification that is based on their primary purpose and attributes. The classifications are conservation land, regional park, reserve land, recreation land and regional trails.
"The classification system helps set clear expectation around public access and service levels while providing a framework for baseline risk management and stewardship of these lands," said Elaine McCulloch, senior park planner. "More broadly, this work supports the RDN board's goals for sustainability and conservation by guiding land use and stewardship decisions in ways that reflect ecological values and long term community priorities."
The classification policy, said McCulloch, will also guide investment and infrastructure decisions, helping prioritize where resources should be allocated to set appropriate level of service standards.
Majority of the committee considers the classification system to be a valuable tool and would like to see it discussed more in the future.
"I think it's important that this gets reflected in the naming because anytime you call anything a park, there's a public expectation that it's available for recreating," RDN chair Vanessa Craig said.
The preliminary draft will be presented to the Electoral Area Parks and Open Space Committees and Electoral Area A Parks and Recreation Committee for input and feedback. Then a final report will be created and presented to the committee of the whole again before recommending it for the RDN board's approval.
