First phase of upgrades to popular hiking trail near Nanaimo complete
The first phase of upgrades to Benson Creek Falls Regional Park intended to improve safety and accessibility is now complete, and the affected section of trail has reopened for use.
Improvements included a new, 40-stall parking lot with kiosk centre on Weigles Road, as well as viewing platforms, wooden staircases and railings on both sides of a steep ravine. A 30-metre bridge now connects the two sides of the ravine.
The bridge, which runs over Benson Creek, was prefabricated and had to be airlifted into place back in March.
Construction on the popular trail – which is located just outside the harbour city, within the Regional District of Nanaimo – started last year.
“It’s a pretty special site, going down a ravine and Ammonite Falls is really breathtaking,” says Yann Gagnon, manager of parks services for the RDN. “It all made sense to improve it for everybody to enjoy it.”
The upgraded section means it will take visitors approximately 15 minutes to get the bottom of the ravine from the Weigles Rd parking lot and another 15 minutes to get to Ammonite Falls.
The final phase of improvements is expected to begin this July and are intended to improve access to Ammonite Falls. Upgrades will include a viewing platform at the falls, and are expected to be complete in late October or early November.
The whole project will cost $1.1 million.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.