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


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Concept Design Survey for Rail Trail from Top Bridge Crossing to Despard Avenue in Parksville

    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.

    The RDN is seeking community feedback to help identify:

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

    We want to hear from you!

    You can choose to skip any question or stop at any time. 

    Your participation in this engagement survey is voluntary. If you decide to participate in this survey, you may withdraw at any time.

    The personal information you provide is collected by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) under sections 26(c) and 26(e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) for the purposes of engaging and consulting with the public. The RDN is using a Bang the Table engagement platform that stores the information in Canada. However, Bang the Table staff are located in the US and may access your user profile information to provide assistance at your request. 

    Some of the questions allow for responses using open-text fields. 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. Any personal information that is inadvertently included in the open-text responses will be deleted once the results of the survey are compiled.

    If you have any questions about the initiative, please contact Jonathan Behnke at jbehnke@rdn.bc.ca or by calling 250-248-4744. If you have any questions about the collection of your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer at PrivacyOffice@rdn.bc.ca or call 250-390-4111.

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