@cvrd.bc.ca
COWICHAN VALLEY – The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) has acquired approximately 75 hectares (185 acres) in Electoral Area I – Youbou/Meade Creek that will significantly increase the size of Bald Mountain Park.
The CVRD purchased the land from Cowichan Lake Holdings Ltd., the owner of the Woodland Shores development, for a price of $2.5 million.
The acquisition included a generous donation of a portion of the lands equal to approximately $800,000, as the purchase price was well below the current appraised market value of the property. This parkland acquisition increases the overall park size to approximately 425 hectares, which was originally acquired/established by the CVRD in 2008 as part of the Woodland Shores project, and contributes towards completing a regional park originally envisioned in the CVRD Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan.
“This represents the largest parkland purchase by the CVRD since the regional parkland acquisition service was established in 2008, and we are very excited about what this means for the future of Bald Mountain Park,” said Kate Segall, Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board of Directors. “On behalf of our Board and residents across the Cowichan region, I’d like to thank Cowichan Lake Holdings for working with the CVRD to achieve its long-term vision for this scenic and ecologically important area of the western Cowichan Valley.”
In comparison to the existing park area, which includes primarily the mountainous, steep sloped portion of the peninsula, the 75-hectare parcel extends across the low benchland portion of the peninsula between Marble Bay Road and the north arm of Cowichan Lake. Securing the parcel as an addition to Bald Mountain Park also protects approximately 850 metres of lakefront foreshore, as well as emerging habitat values of the reforested upland area which provides for a range of wildlife species.
“Woodland Shores has been part of the community since 2006, and parks and environment have always been key goals of the development,” said Wayne Hopkins, a member of Cowichan Lake Holdings ownership group. “We are pleased that we were able to work with CVRD to see these 185 acres join Bald Mountain Park and ensure that these lands will be enjoyed by wildlife and community members in perpetuity.”
Bald Mountain Peninsula is a long-favoured hiking destination within the Cowichan region, with approximately 11,000 trail users at Bald Mountain Park recorded on the main trail in 2023. Visible from every corner of the lake, Bald Mountain is an imposing natural feature that dominates the eastern end of Cowichan Lake both from the water and surrounding communities. The lowlands added to Bald Mountain Park in this acquisition are already popular with hikers who have informally enjoyed walking the existing network of old forestry roads.
Source: Business Examiner & cvrd.bc.ca
