We have an exciting opportunity to enhance our area’s outdoor recreation offerings through four proposed projects. These initiatives will benefit local residents and attract visitors, supporting our tourism-dependent businesses, especially during the off-season.
This aligns with the goals outlined in our 2018 Official Community Plan. The Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Pender Harbour have endorsed these projects, which were presented to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board in 2021.
The SCRD’s Katherine Lake Regional Park is unique as the only lake on the Sunshine Coast entirely surrounded by public parkland. This project aims to complete and improve the walking trail around the lake, which currently covers about 90% of its circumference. While there’s some opposition from lakeside homeowners, the project is considered beneficial for the community. Implementation is on hold pending the SCRD’s Parks Master Plan. Click here for our PowerPoint presentation.
Dan Bosch Park on Ruby Lake is severely overcrowded, forcing visitors to park dangerously along Highway 101. The primary goal is to expand the parking lot to improve safety and accessibility. Secondary is to increase the size of the beach and provide a cartop boat launch for non-motorized vessels. This project is also on hold awaiting the SCRD’s Parks Master Plan.
These projects are eligible for either Gas Tax funding and/or other funding agencies. Local community volunteers would also assist in their development.
To this end, Leonard Lee, our SCRD Area A director proposed the following motion, which was passed unanimously, at the June SCRD Board meeting: that “Staff work with PHARA to establish project authorization requirements, planning, development and maintenance costs and time estimates in order that the projects can be considered as part of the 2022 annual budget process and that PHARA continue gathering community input on the proposals.”
In 2023, the SCRD decided that before moving ahead on the Katherine Lake and Dan Bosch projects, they would first undertake a thorough Parks Master Plan. Unfortunately, funding for this master plan was not included in the 2024 SCRD budget, so those two projects are on hold.
This project addresses the hazardous stretch of Garden Bay Road between the Pumphouse and John Henry’s/Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. The plan is to create a safe walking and cycling path along this narrow section. The project is currently in limbo due to jurisdictional issues between the SCRD and the BC Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
This initiative aims to improve directional signage to popular attractions such as Francis Point Provincial Park, Mount Daniel hiking trail, Baker Beach, Martin Cove, and Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park. The project is pending the completion of the SCRD Parks and Trails Strategy, which will standardize signage across SCRD parks and trails.
