Regional District of Nanaimo - Electoral Area B

This fall, the Province recognized the Regional District of Nanaimo for the many steps we are taking toward building more sustainable communities. At the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention in September, Premier Gordon Campbell presented the RDN with one of the Provincial Government’s seven inaugural Green Cities Awards. The Premier established these awards in the fall of 2006, to encourage local governments to think green in as many areas of their operations as possible.

In choosing the first-ever Green City Award recipients, the Province evaluated nominated communities on criteria including liveability, climate change, and innovation, as well as the extent to which social, environmental and economic values are integrated throughout the communities.

In its size category, the Regional District of Nanaimo competed successfully against Metro Vancouver (formerly the Greater Vancouver Regional District) for the Green Cities Award. According to Premier Gordon Campbell, the RDN was chosen because of its green thinking in terms of solid and liquid waste management, regional transit, and regional development including urban containment.

This is a tremendous achievement for the Regional District of Nanaimo Board of Directors, as we have worked hard over the past few years to maintain our commitment toenvironmental, social and economic sustainability. We will continue to make improvements in our operations as we work toward this important goal.

Descanso Bay Regional Park Update

Descanso Bay Regional Park Update It has been another great season at Descanso Bay Regional Park, and park operator Jim Demler has noticed that Gabriola Islanders as well as visitors are enjoying the park facilities and the campground. In 2007, the campground was in use right up until the end of October.

“It’s a pretty special place for a lot of folks,” Demler says. “Many people have lived on Gabriola all their lives but didn’t know this existed . . . because it was a private campground before.” School groups, Girl Guides, and family reunions have all recently made use of the campground, and of course, tourists from abroad and from as close to home as Nanaimo also stay at Descanso Bay to relax and enjoy the view. The 40-acre park at 595 Taylor Road is less than a kilometre from the ferry terminal, so it’s easy to get to. Even if you’re not camping, take a stroll through the park—the views are spectacular. Picnicking, kayaking and beachcombing are popular activities, and the hiking is great, too—Descanso Bay Regional Park is adjacent to the 113-acre Cox Community Park, which has a network of trails through a wellestablished forest setting.

For more information about Descanso Bay Regional Park or to make a campground reservation, call 247-8255.

Mudge Island Community Park Erosion Control

In October and early November, a contractor working for the RDN Recreation and Parks department (Chad Giesbrecht) completed shoreline restoration at the Regional District’s community park on Mudge Island.

Approximately 20 metres of shoreline and road edge in this one-acre park have now been reinforced with rip-rap to prevent further erosion, and to ensure that the park is safe for visitors. The restored area will also be re-seeded with grass to enhance the park environment.