Crews will be working on trails on the Coldwater Road side of the Parksville Wetlands starting Oct. 4.
The work will continue upgrades started in 2019, which include new trails for walking, maintenance and emergency services. Some areas of the wetlands may be inaccessible to the public while the work is underway, according to a media release from the city.
“As climate change makes our summers drier, it is crucial that we provide suitable access in the wetlands for maintenance, emergency access for ambulance and fire protection,” the release reads.
A grass fire in 2020 burned around 700 square metres of the wetlands and another fire this summer burned a more treed section. Without proper access, the potential for loss within the wetlands to fire increases, the city said.
Forsite Forest Management Specialists completed a demonstration project with the city using recent LiDAR data to survey the area. The results of the survey show 174 dead trees in the 13 hectare section of the Parksville Wetlands. Many of these trees will never be a hazard to the public, but staff will need access to mitigate any possible concerns, according to the city.
