Winter 2018 Recreation Guide

Salmon Habitat and Trail Improvements Simms Park

Simms Millennium Park has undergone significant changes since Project Watershed completed salmon habitat improvement work in the park this summer. During the month of August the Project Watershed team completed the construction phase of the project, which has been many years in the planning. This work was funded by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, Fisheries & Oceans Canada and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. The endeavour included the removal of an old culvert connecting the Courtenay River through the park into an inner pond area. This culvert was replaced with a larger fish-friendly culvert installed at a lower elevation so that fish would have more access during a variety of tide cycles. A second culvert was installed to connect the inner pond through to the Courtenay Slough. Project Watershed notes that adult pink and coho salmon have already been observed moving through these new culverts. A benefit of this important work is that new trails have been built beside the culverts by Courtenay Parks staff that enhance the walking experience through the park. At the end of October, in order to re-establish the streamside riparian zone, volunteers will plant about 900 native conifers along the sides of the culverts including several native trees, plants and shrubs. Watch for two new interpretive signs explaining the benefits of the project to be installed in the spring.

~From Project Watershed and the City of Courtenay

COURTENAY PARKS

To learn more about the project visit the Project Watershed website: www.projectwatershed.ca

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COURTENAY RECREATION | 250-338-5371 | 250-338-1000 | courtenay.ca/rec