Rail Trail from Top Bridge Crossing to Despard Ave in Parksville

Trail next to railway tracks

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is planning a new regional trail along the Island Rail Corridor between Top Bridge Crossing and Despard Avenue in Parksville. The trail will connect Top Bridge Regional Trail to the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail, with the goal of improving active transportation options, increasing recreational opportunities and creating better connections between existing trails.

About the Project

The project includes:

  • Upgrading approximately 3.7 kilometres of an existing water main access road between Alberni Highway and the Englishman River. This access road is not currently designated as a public trail.
  • Building approximately 0.75 kilometres of new trail to connect the Allsbrook Road Top Bridge parking lot to the railway corridor.
  • Building approximately 0.65 kilometres of new trail to connect Despard Avenue to the railway corridor along Alberni Highway.

The project will complete a continuous 16-kilometre trail route connecting Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park to Coombs.

Before proceeding, the project will require approvals and agreements with the Island Corridor Foundation, the City of Parksville, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and BC Hydro.

Engagement

The RDN has sought community feedback to help identify:

  • Safety concerns
  • Connectivity gaps
  • Accessibility barriers
  • Important trail design considerations

What Happens Next?

Feedback received through the survey and open house is being reviewed and summarized to help guide the trail design. A What We Heard Engagement Summary will be posted on this page and registered participants will be notified by email. The final trail design will be posted on this page once completed.

Stay Informed


The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is planning a new regional trail along the Island Rail Corridor between Top Bridge Crossing and Despard Avenue in Parksville. The trail will connect Top Bridge Regional Trail to the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail, with the goal of improving active transportation options, increasing recreational opportunities and creating better connections between existing trails.

About the Project

The project includes:

  • Upgrading approximately 3.7 kilometres of an existing water main access road between Alberni Highway and the Englishman River. This access road is not currently designated as a public trail.
  • Building approximately 0.75 kilometres of new trail to connect the Allsbrook Road Top Bridge parking lot to the railway corridor.
  • Building approximately 0.65 kilometres of new trail to connect Despard Avenue to the railway corridor along Alberni Highway.

The project will complete a continuous 16-kilometre trail route connecting Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park to Coombs.

Before proceeding, the project will require approvals and agreements with the Island Corridor Foundation, the City of Parksville, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and BC Hydro.

Engagement

The RDN has sought community feedback to help identify:

  • Safety concerns
  • Connectivity gaps
  • Accessibility barriers
  • Important trail design considerations

What Happens Next?

Feedback received through the survey and open house is being reviewed and summarized to help guide the trail design. A What We Heard Engagement Summary will be posted on this page and registered participants will be notified by email. The final trail design will be posted on this page once completed.

Stay Informed


Questions and Comments

Questions about the project? Post them here and a member of the project team will get back to you. Please note:

  • Please only post questions related to the project here. Information provided here via posted questions will not be shared with the RDN Board of Directors. 
  • To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include any information that could identify you or another person. Identifying information could include a person’s name, address, email or phone number. Questions that contain personal information will not be published.
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  • What is the trail going to be made of? Crush rock? Cement? It is best to have a hard pack dirt because of dog paws, wildlife, accessibility and natural surroundings.

    KimBurns asked about 1 month ago

    The proposed trail surfacing is similar to the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail, which is a trail capped with 1/4 inch minus crush gravel compacted to a firm surface.

  • Support horse back riders?

    randsjones asked about 2 months ago

    Designing the trail to accommodate horseback riding is being considered in concept design.

  • How many users are you anticipating on the trail? Are you anticipating an increase in users to Top Bridge and Englishman River? If so will additional facilities and cleaning be added to meet increased demand?

    ARoss asked about 2 months ago

    Trail user counts and studies on anticipated increases resulting from the new trail have not been undertaken. Once the trail is open, impacts to facilities at the Top Bridge parking lots will be monitored by parks operations staff and adjusted to meet changes to demand.

  • Is this trail being designed for accessibility with tread and grade considerations? If so will accessible facilities such as picnic tables, benches and look outs be provided in the park?

    ARoss asked about 2 months ago

    The trail will be designed to be accessible where feasible considering the natural topography. An accessible trail grade of 5% or less should be possible for most of the trail along the rail corridor. However, as the trail slopes down towards Englishman River, it may not be possible to achieve an accessible grade due to the natural topography and the underground water main that limits how much the grade can be changed. There is also a steep hill within Top Bridge Community Park where it may not be possible to achieve an accessible grade without significant tree removals. 

    The gravel trail material will be capped with a 1/4 inch crush (also known as cart path) similar to what was used on the accessible portion of Lighthouse Country Regional Trail and along the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail.

    Facilities like benches will be considered in the detailed design phase of the project and will consider public feedback received. Picnic tables are not being considered at this time.

  • Has an ecological assemement been done? What are the impacts of the trail in Top Bridge Parks?

    ARoss asked about 2 months ago

    A Qualified Environmental Professional will be retained in the Detailed Design phase of the project to do an Environmental Impact Assessment for the section of the trail near Englishman River and through Top Bridge Community Park.

Page last updated: 13 Aug 2026, 11:20 AM