The document outlines potential national park lands on Bowen Island, highlighting various areas of interest for conservation, recreation, and ecological preservation. It presents a plan prepared by local volunteers to stimulate discussion on the management of these lands, including access, fire protocols, and recreational uses. The document emphasizes the importance of community support and addresses potential management issues with Parks Canada.

1. POTENTIAL NATIONAL PARK LANDS
Note:
- all feature locations are approximate;
- mapping of some features may be incomplete;
- base map courtesy of Bowen Island
Conservancy and B.I. Municipality
ISLAND
0 1 2 3 4 50.5 Kilometers
±
ITF
Reserve
ITF Reserve
PRELIMINARY WORKING MAP - FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES
Ecological Reserve
Provincial Park
Nature Reserve**
Regional Park
Municipal Park
Crown Lands
Private Lands
Road
Potential National Park Lands
LEGEND
Prepared by a group of local volunteers (Sue Ellen Fast, Stephen Foster, Patrick Hawkes, Wynn Nielsen, Adam Taylor, James Tuer, Alan Whitehead) to stimulate discussion on Bowen Island. 26 October 2010
MOUNT GARDNER
(private or leased waterfront lots excluded)
Purpose:
- protection of watersheds, aquifers, viewsheds
- recreation
- conservation
Opportunities:
- hiking & nature watching
- mountain biking
- rock climbing
- marine access
- paddling
- SCUBA diving
- education, interpretation & research
Area of significant park interest
- trail connection Mt Gardner - Mt Apodaca
- ecological connectivity
ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Purpose:
- continue w/ existing uses
(same as current management plan)
- preservation
- scientific research
- education/ interpretation
JOSEPHINE RIDGE CROWN LANDS
Purpose:
- protection of watersheds, aquifers, viewsheds
- recreation
- conservation
Opportunities (potential):
- hiking & nature watching
- trail connection
APODACA SOUTH SLOPE
Purpose:
- protection of watersheds, aquifers, viewsheds
- recreation
- conservation
Opportunities
- hiking & nature watching
- education, interpretation, research
- views
Area of significant park interest:
- trail connection
QUEEN CHARLOTTE HEIGHTS CROWN LAND
Purpose:
- protection of watersheds, aquifers,
viewscapes
- recreation
Opportunities (potential):
- trail connection to Apodaca Park
- hiking & nature watching,
- views
Area of significant park interest:
Purpose: trail connection
VALHALLA CROWN LAND
Purpose:
- protection of watersheds, aquifers,
viewscapes
- recreation
- conservation
Opportunities (potential):
- hiking & nature watching
- education, interpretation
- views
DORMAN BAY
Purpose:
- marine park
Opportunities:
- SCUBA diving
- paddling
MOUNT COLLINS
(private or leased waterfront lots excluded)
Purpose:
- protection of watersheds, aquifers, viewsheds
- recreation
- conservation
Opportunities:
- hiking & nature watching
- mountain biking
- water reservoir location
- marine park
- paddling
- SCUBA diving
- education, interpretation & research
CRIPPEN REGIONAL PARK
Purpose:
- continue present use
- ecological connectivity Mt Gardner - Mt Collins
Opportunities
- gateway to National Park
- restoration of heritage values
Marine Park
- 300 m wide
Purpose:
- conservation
- recreation
Opportunities:
- paddling
- SCUBA diving
Area of park interest
- camping
- habitat restoration
Hutt
I.
APODACA PARK
Purpose:
- continue w/ existing uses
- add adjacent marine park
Opportunities:
- marine access
- coastal trail
- walk-in campsite at Optimist Ck
Area of significant park interest:
- coastal trail
- marine park
Grafton L.
Killarney L.
WEST RADAR HILL
Purpose:
- protection of watersheds, aquifers, viewsheds
- recreation
- conservation
Opportunities (potential):
- hiking & nature watching
- trail connection
- mountain biking
- education & interpretation
- views
* Private lands which offer recreational or ecological continuity with the
proposed park lands. Assumes a willing seller-willing buyer scenario.
** Islands Trust Fund (ITF) lands
Area of significant park interest:
- Huzar Ck watershed
- South slope & coastal bluffs
- coastal trail
- marine park
EAST RADAR HILL
Purpose:
- land bank (not park)
Opportunities (potential):
- green energy
- other community uses
- municipal control
Josephine L.
PROSPECTS FOR A NATIONAL PARK
Depend on community support
Management issues that need to be addressed with Parks Canada (PC):
• Access - encourage access by foot on ferry, bicycle, transit, water taxi, boat
- discourage vehicle access by limiting park developments needing vehicles and through any advertising in park info
- BIM/PC request BCFerries to add Bowen to assured loading routes
• Fire - establish protocol between Parks Canada (PC) and Bowen fire department on shared responsibilities
• Dogs - request PC to amend park regulation to allow off-leash areas
• Camping - establish walk-in/boat-in/cycle-in campgrounds
- consider vehicle access camping during 2nd iteration of park management planning
• Fees - exempt Bowen residents from day use fees
- consider a ferry ticket surcharge returned to Bowen as an improvement fee
• Existing recreation - retain all existing recreation development (trails, horse riding, ballpark, group facilities, etc.) until management plan is completed
• Increased taxes - ensure lands acquired for park purposes do not reduce the tax base
• Employment - allow islanders first consideration for employment and for provision of goods and services
• Slow response from PC - establish that the Bowen park advisory committee has access to the PC CEO
SEYMOUR BAY & LANDING
Purpose:
- moorage
- park access
Opportunities:
- coastal trailhead
- marine park
- transportation terminus to Vancouver
- marine habitat rehabilitation & enhancement
LIEBEN
Purpose:
- preservation per Nielsen bequest
- national historic site (Arts)
Opportunities (potential):
- facility for artists
- restoration (historical & ecological)
- hiking & nature watching
- marine park
DEEP BAY
Purpose:
- moorage
- water access
- beach use
Opportunities:
- trailhead
- CNIB facilities
Areas of significant park interest *