Full guide

COURTENAY RECREATION

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COURTENAY

PARKS

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.

To learn more about the project visit the

Project Watershed website:

~From Project Watershed and the City of Courtenay

Salmon Habitat and

Trail Improvements

Simms Park