Benson Creek Falls Regional Park Access Improvements

Starting on October 13, 2020, work will begin on the construction of:

• A new hiking bridge over Benson Creek;
• Upgrades to the Park's steep ravine trails; and
• A new 40-stall gravel parking lot on Weigles Road.

The work will occur in phases and will be fully complete in Spring 2021.

Park visitors can expect temporary closures of trails and access roads, including full closure of the ravine trail for the duration of construction. Please remain alert to construction activities in and around the park and obey the signs posted on site.

The Regional Board has awarded two construction contracts for improvements at Benson Creek Falls Regional Park. This fall, CMF Construction Ltd. will be focusing efforts on installing a new hiking bridge over Benson Creek and upgrades to the Park’s steep ravine trails. Windley Contracting Ltd. will be focusing on constructing a new 40-stall gravel parking lot on Weigles Road, including a connecting trail into the Park.

Park visitors can expect temporary closures of trails and should remain alert to construction activities in and around the Park. For everyone’s safety, please obey all signs posted by the Contractor. Stay tuned for project updates! Works are scheduled to be complete by the end of November.

Phase 2, which includes stairs and a viewing platform at Ammonite Falls, is scheduled to occur in 2021.

The Island Coastal Economic Trust recently announced the RDN's successful application for funding towards the construction of the Benson Creek Falls Access Improvements Project.

Design work is nearing completion and the tendering of the first phase of construction is expected late-spring, early-summer. The project includes three components:

• improved parking and trail head at Weigles Road;
• a recreational truss bridge crossing of Benson Creek, and;
• trail and stair improvements at Ammonite Falls.

Detailed design is underway, and construction is expected to begin in 2020.

The Benson Creek Falls Regional Park Access Improvements project will provide trail improvements to the existing trail network, create some small sections of new trail and staircase installation to access Ammonite Falls, viewing platforms, erosion control and habitat rehabilitation measures, truss bridge installation over Benson Creek, and a new 40-stall parking lot, including two accessible parking stalls, off Weigles Road. For more information on the designs of the proposed Benson Creek Crossing (Option1), Ammonite Falls Descent (Option 2), and Weigles Road parking lot please review the Board Report provided in the background document library.

The conceptual design phase of this project is complete and the preferred design options for the Benson Creek Bridge Crossing, the Ammonite Falls Descent (Option 2) and Weigles Road Parking Lot have been determined and endorsed by the Regional Board. For more information please read the Board Report provided in the background document library.

In 2014 the Regional District of Nanaimo adopted the Benson Creek Falls Regional Park Management Plan. The Plan identifies park access improvements that will support user safety, limit liability, and reduce ongoing erosion and vegetation damage associated with access to steep slopes and environmentally sensitive areas.