Full Fall Guide

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COURTENAY
PARKS
COURTENAY PARKS | 250-338-5371 | 250-338-1525 | 98
Access the Interactive Map through
• Zoom in to find parks in Courtenay and to see walking trails, special features, and photos
• Print any section of the map customized to the park and trail information you need
• The map is easy to use on tablets and mobile views
• Accurate locations based on GIS with map layers featuring streams and topography
• Linked to Google Map’s directions
Did you know that Courtenay has a Parks Interactive Map?
Project Watershed is working on an initiative
to increase salmon survival in Simms Millenium
Park. The project is set to be completed by the
end of August.
Jennifer Sutherst, Project Watershed’s estuary
coordinator and staff biologist, said Simms Park is a
key fish habitat area. “Many local residents that use
the park may not realize that it provides habitat for
fish”, advised Sutherst. “In fact it’s one of only three
areas of off-channel habitat along the Courtenay
River where young fish can rear.”
The Simms side channel is used by species such
as Coho salmon, however it is not functioning as
well as it could be. Fish that access the pond
habitat are often trapped, and in the summer the
water becomes stagnant due to limited circulation.
The current culvert is being replaced with a larger,
more “fish friendly” one installed at a lower
elevation. The inner pond is being re-contoured
and deepened in a couple of areas. Another culvert
Replaced Culvert
at lower elevation
Installed Culvert
Salmon Habitat Improvement at Simms Park
will be installed on the opposite side of the pond to
connect it to the Courtenay Slough, which connects
back to the Courtenay River. This will create a true
flow-through channel, and should improve habitat
quality as well as opportunities for juvenile fish rearing
and foraging.
As part of the project, invasive plants in the area are
being removed. Some Alder trees are being removed
for machine access, and are being replaced with
native conifers.
The Rotary Pavilion, BBQ area, washrooms, and trail
behind the pavilion remain accessible throughout the
project. There will be construction noise, as well as
temporary impacts to parking. Project Watershed staff
will be on site to direct pedestrians and provide
information on the project.
To learn more about the project visit the
Project Watershed website: