Vancouver Island’s most popular provincial park might look a little different than on your last visit.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park has completed a series of new upgrades designed to increase accessibility.
A section of trail was upgraded for improved access at the popular Parksville destination.
Additionally, the park’s day-use parking lot was paved.
The provincial government says the improvements are part of its commitment to make B.C. parks more inclusive and accessible, according to a news release by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
The BC Parks Commitment to Inclusion works to ensure everyone feels welcome in provincial parks, with eight guiding principles that can be applied to any aspect of park management, including natural places, digital services, facilities and programs.
The principles are meant to help remove barriers that restrict people from accessing outdoor recreation in their community.
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“We know that being outdoors can help build community and provide many positive health benefits — physical, mental and spiritual. British Columbians love and appreciate the beauty of B.C.’s natural and wild spaces, but there continues to be far too many people who face barriers to being included, welcome and safe in our parks,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
“Our government is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in B.C. can both access and feel comfortable in our parks, and we will continue our work to break down the barriers that discourage or prevent many of our neighbours from accessing the natural beauty of our province.”
Budget 2023 includes $3.6 million over the next three years to continue upgrading facilities, such as washrooms, parking lots and trails, to an accessible standard in parks near urban centres.