DOVER PARKS REPORT 2024

 

Dover Neighbourhood Association Recommendation	Parks Operation  Response
May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park – add picnic tables near the playing fields and update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	We will be looking at this greenspace through the Woodgrove Area Plan for future uses and improvements.  We are also conducting a survey until May 6th about sport courts which may impact some users at this site.  Picnic tables have not been requested before but could be considered.
Seabold Rotary Park – consider adding non-skid coating to steps.  Update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	These stairs were rebuilt about 5 years ago.  Are you hearing complaints about them being slippery?  Park ops is not aware of any complaints.   Non slip elements are not part of our trail/stair standards but could be added if needed at a cost (about $4000) but can be considered in the future. However, they require a review our standards for liability.
Lewis Park – add a swing set and update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	The neighbourhood can request additional playground equipment through the Partners in Parks Program (PIP) where there is a demonstrated need and desire to partner with the City for funding/labour etc.  Immediate neighbours should be on-board.  Similar improvements were made years ago through the PIP process at this park, Mcgirr, Sechelt and Groveland Park.
Saxer Park – add a park bench and update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	Thank you for this suggestion.  This park is zoned nature park but seating could be added.
Blueback Beach Access – change the name to Blueback Park, erect a park sign, add a picnic table near the beach and consider adding non-skid coating to steps.  Update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	This is actually not legally a park. It is legally road right of way that the City uses for park purposes.  Upper portion of stairs was redone a couple years ago.  Are you hearing complaints about them being slippery?  Park ops is not aware of any complaints.   Non slip elements are not part of our trail/stair standards but could be added if needed at a cost (about $6000) but can be considered in the future. However, they require a review our standards for liability.
Invermere Beach Access – change the name to Invermere Park, erect a park sign, add a picnic table near the beach, add a bench near the top of the stairs and consider non-skid coating to steps.  Post a no-fire sign at the beach (in addition to the one at the street entrance) and clean up litter and the vandalized sign near the beach.  Update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	Part of this site is legally a park and part is road right of way that the City uses for park purposes.   Thanks for letting us know about the issues at the trailhead.  We have installed a regulation sign as a response to this request and tried to find the materials mentioned.  A non-slip treatment here could be considered for about $3000.  Any issues at parks can always be reported to 2507557515 or parkopsdispatch@nanaimo.ca
Groveland Gyro Park – Update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	The neighbourhood upgraded this park under the Partners in Parks Program (PIP) in 2012.  The trails, sport court and new playground were all added as per neighbourhood request and fundraising.    The City has been canvasing the community about court sports including the sport court at this site.
McGirr Community Park – add a picnic table and update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	A new playground was installed to replace the old one in 2023.
Sechelt Drive Community Park – erect a city parks regulations sign and update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	Thank you we will check to see if a regulation sign is required.   Equipment was installed by volunteers under the PIP program in the past and can be upgraded in the future under the same program.
Icarus Park – add park sign, a gazebo, picnic table(s) and bench(s).	These are improvements the neighbourhood can request additional playground equipment through the Partners in Parks Program (PIP) where there is a demonstrated need and desire to partner with the City for funding/labour etc.
McGirr Sports Fields – display the rules notice more prominently at each entrance.  Update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	Thank you.  This site is owned by the City but managed by the McGirr Sports Society.
Carmanah Park - update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	The neighbourhood upgraded this park under the Partners in Parks Program  (PIP)  in 2012 to meet the residents’ needs at the time.
Broadway Park - update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	The neighbourhood can request additional playground equipment through the Partners in Parks Program (PIP) where there is a demonstrated need and desire to partner with the City for funding/labour etc.
Sealand Park – add park signs at the (3) entrances, add city parks regulation sign at the 5962 Sunset Rd. entrance, benches at each entrance, a picnic table near the beach and consider adding non-skid coating to steps.  Update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	One large section of this park is officially closed. Addition of non-slip elements at the open section would be about $3000.  Adding a picnic table could be considered but would best be done in discussion with immediate neighbours.
Southhampton Park – do not return this park to natural state.  There already is a park in the natural state only one block north (Saxer Park). Keep the existing playground equipment and add a slide and climbing structure.  Update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	The neighbourhood can request additional playground equipment through the Partners in Parks Program (PIP) where there is a demonstrated need and desire to partner with the City for funding/labour etc. The City plans to keep the existing CSA compliant swings.
RDN Community Park – the City should create a neighbourhood park, named for example “RDN Community Park”, on one of the two optional RDN locations.  Landscape the park appropriately amid the existing trees, with a park sign, benches, picnic tables, swings, slides and climbing apparatus.	Any land owned by the Regional District of Nanaimo or other private land owners can be utilized and controlled by the owner in accordance with city zoning and OCP designations.
Woodgrove Community Park – the city should create a neighbourhood park, named, for example “Woodgrove Community Park”, along the western and southern boarders of the Woodgrove Centre, with appropriate landscaping and park signs.  Include in the 1st phase benches, picnic tables, swings, slides, and climbing apparatus.  In the 2nd phase, on the currently paved space, recreational amenities to be determined following consultation.	The City is currently undertaking a Woodgrove Area Plan and one of the goals of the planning process to identify opportunities for open space, active transportation and future recreational/cultural needs at sites including the Woodgrove Mall site.  We do hope to negotiate significant changes if/when they redevelop.   Until they re-develop, the mall is private property and they can improve it as they want for their patrons.
Seabold Trailway (T-1) – add a picnic table at the Dickenson Road end and update the amenities as required within City guidelines.	Thank you.  Seating could be budgeted added to this road right of way if neighbourhood needs or fundraises for.  This site will also be under consideration through the Woodgrove Area plan.
Parkway Trail (T-2) – integrate this trail within the recommended new Woodgrove Community Park.	The City is currently undertaking a Woodgrove Area Plan and one of the goals of the planning process to identify opportunities for open space, active transportation and future recreational/cultural needs at sites including the Woodgrove Mall site.
	Additional sites in your area:   Clarence Way—is an undeveloped  neighbourhood park that can be developed further through the Partners in Parks program   Rafter Park- Is an undeveloped park property PRC would like to plant more trees in many of your neighbourhood parks to increase urban tree canopy and combat climate trees.