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Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan Update

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Let's Talk Regional Parks & Trails!

About the Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan Update

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is engaging with First Nations, residents, interested parties, and other governments for the update of the 2007 Regional Parks and Trails Master Plan. While the 2007 plan has provided strong direction guiding the CVRD’s regional parks and trails program towards the long-term vision, much has changed since 2007 and an update to the plan is needed.

The process to update the master plan provides an opportunity to reflect on and consider a renewed vision, principles, goals, and priority actions for regional parks and trails, and to update regional parkland acquisition priorities. Once completed, the updated plan will guide the CVRD’s strategic and operational decisions about the regional parks and trails system for the next 10-15 years.

Want to Learn More?

  • Subscribe to receive notifications about project updates, news and opportunities to engage.
  • Check out the FAQs to see our responses to common questions.
  • Visit the 'important links' to view the 2007 CVRD Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan, learn more about CVRD parks and trails, and other project information.
  • Still have questions? Please use the Q&A function and we will get you an answer as quickly as possible.

Project Timeline

  • Phase 1: Project Start Up & Engagement Planning – Summer / Fall 2024
  • Phase 2: Research & Analysis – Fall / Winter 2024
  • Phase 3: Stage 1 Engagement – Fall / Winter 2024
  • Phase 4: Draft Master Plan & Stage 2 Engagement – Spring 2025
  • Phase 5: Final Master Plan – Summer/Fall 2025

Round 1 Engagement Feedback Now Under Analysis

Our first round of public engagement closed on December 16, 2024. Sign up for project updates ("Follow Project") to be notified when the "What We Heard" engagement report is ready.

What are regional parks & trails?

Regional parks and trails are regionally significant sites that are funded primarily through property taxes levied across the Regional District and managed by the Regional District under the regional parks and trails program. Your regional parks and trails were established to provide a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, protect natural ecosystems, feature representative landscapes, link our communities, and enhance livability within the region. They can also help to protect the region’s ecologically sensitive species and/or cultural heritage and support the region’s efforts to adapt and remain resilient to climate change. They provide cherished nature-based outdoor recreation opportunities that can improve residents’ quality of life, build healthy communities, and attract visitors to the region.

While the acquisition priorities identified in the 2007 Master Plan have not yet been fully completed, the CVRD has assembled lands towards the establishment of eight regional parks, a regional recreation area and two regional trails (the Cowichan Valley Trail, and the Friendship / siiye ‘yu Trail):


Let's Talk Regional Parks & Trails!

About the Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan Update

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is engaging with First Nations, residents, interested parties, and other governments for the update of the 2007 Regional Parks and Trails Master Plan. While the 2007 plan has provided strong direction guiding the CVRD’s regional parks and trails program towards the long-term vision, much has changed since 2007 and an update to the plan is needed.

The process to update the master plan provides an opportunity to reflect on and consider a renewed vision, principles, goals, and priority actions for regional parks and trails, and to update regional parkland acquisition priorities. Once completed, the updated plan will guide the CVRD’s strategic and operational decisions about the regional parks and trails system for the next 10-15 years.

Want to Learn More?

  • Subscribe to receive notifications about project updates, news and opportunities to engage.
  • Check out the FAQs to see our responses to common questions.
  • Visit the 'important links' to view the 2007 CVRD Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan, learn more about CVRD parks and trails, and other project information.
  • Still have questions? Please use the Q&A function and we will get you an answer as quickly as possible.

Project Timeline

  • Phase 1: Project Start Up & Engagement Planning – Summer / Fall 2024
  • Phase 2: Research & Analysis – Fall / Winter 2024
  • Phase 3: Stage 1 Engagement – Fall / Winter 2024
  • Phase 4: Draft Master Plan & Stage 2 Engagement – Spring 2025
  • Phase 5: Final Master Plan – Summer/Fall 2025

Round 1 Engagement Feedback Now Under Analysis

Our first round of public engagement closed on December 16, 2024. Sign up for project updates ("Follow Project") to be notified when the "What We Heard" engagement report is ready.

What are regional parks & trails?

Regional parks and trails are regionally significant sites that are funded primarily through property taxes levied across the Regional District and managed by the Regional District under the regional parks and trails program. Your regional parks and trails were established to provide a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, protect natural ecosystems, feature representative landscapes, link our communities, and enhance livability within the region. They can also help to protect the region’s ecologically sensitive species and/or cultural heritage and support the region’s efforts to adapt and remain resilient to climate change. They provide cherished nature-based outdoor recreation opportunities that can improve residents’ quality of life, build healthy communities, and attract visitors to the region.

While the acquisition priorities identified in the 2007 Master Plan have not yet been fully completed, the CVRD has assembled lands towards the establishment of eight regional parks, a regional recreation area and two regional trails (the Cowichan Valley Trail, and the Friendship / siiye ‘yu Trail):


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  • Share Many of these sites mentioned in the 2007 plan and identified by community members are sacred sites on unceded land for local First Nations, particularly for Stz'uminus. What is your consultation process and have you considered reaching out to the hereditary members for information regarding these sites? on Facebook Share Many of these sites mentioned in the 2007 plan and identified by community members are sacred sites on unceded land for local First Nations, particularly for Stz'uminus. What is your consultation process and have you considered reaching out to the hereditary members for information regarding these sites? on Twitter Share Many of these sites mentioned in the 2007 plan and identified by community members are sacred sites on unceded land for local First Nations, particularly for Stz'uminus. What is your consultation process and have you considered reaching out to the hereditary members for information regarding these sites? on Linkedin Email Many of these sites mentioned in the 2007 plan and identified by community members are sacred sites on unceded land for local First Nations, particularly for Stz'uminus. What is your consultation process and have you considered reaching out to the hereditary members for information regarding these sites? link

    Many of these sites mentioned in the 2007 plan and identified by community members are sacred sites on unceded land for local First Nations, particularly for Stz'uminus. What is your consultation process and have you considered reaching out to the hereditary members for information regarding these sites?

    Keilih asked about 1 month ago

    Reconciliation is the first priority in the CVRD Board’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, which guides the delivery of all CVRD’s services. Reconciliation actions are intended to be woven throughout all of the Strategic Plan’s objectives and actions. The review and update of the Regional Parks & Trails Master Plan is an important opportunity to advance relationship-building, cooperation, and collaboration with Indigenous communities - through the planning process, in the updated plan’s policies, and throughout the plan’s implementation. The governments of the ten First Nations with reserves within the CVRD were provided with an overview of the upcoming project in advance of the project launch, with a request for feedback on if and how they would like to engage throughout the process. First Nations engagement for the plan is a separate process from public engagement, and outreach and engagement activities are ongoing.

Page last updated: 16 Dec 2024, 04:31 PM