Enhancements to Richmond’s Nature Park Begin This Summer
13 July 2007
The City of Richmond is about to begin phase 1 of the Richmond Nature Park’s restoration program, which promises to bring many enhancements for visitors to enjoy and learn from for years to come!
The improvements will focus on the entrance as well as the wildlife garden immediately around the Nature House. Lasting benefits to park visitors, include a welcoming and informative visitors plaza at the park entrance; the restoration of the existing, overgrown wildlife garden - complete with educational features for all ages; improved picnic and group gathering spaces and clear access to trail entrances.
“Many visitors, including groups of children, visit the park each year, so we’re really looking forward to improving our open spaces for picnics and gathering places, and improving our educational features throughout the area,” says the Nature Park Coordinator, Kristine Bauder. “Restoring our wildlife garden will be a work in progress over the years and will include a variety of shade trees, open areas and wild plants that provide habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife while offering our visitors an interesting and educational experience.”
Beginning July 16, 2007 and continuing for approximately three weeks, the City will be clearing the areas west and north of the Nature House. Hazardous, unhealthy and dying trees – many damaged by the fall 2006 windstorms – along with invasive plants will be removed and replaced with species that are beneficial to wildlife. The majority of the brush and tree debris will be recycled back into the park for use on the trails, in the construction of the wildlife garden or as organic mulch on garden surfaces.
The park will remain open during this time and all programs will proceed as scheduled. Slight detours and noise disruptions will be kept to a minimum. Phase 1 of the restoration program is scheduled to be complete in September 2007.
While we apologize for any inconvenience this work will cause, we are confident visitors will benefit from the enhancements for many years to come.
For more information, please call the Nature Park Coordinator at 604-718-6188.
About the Richmond Nature Park
The Richmond Nature Park consists of 200 acres of the raised peat bog habitat that once covered large portions of Lulu Island. Four walking trails totalling 7 km in length provide visitors the opportunity to encounter plants and animals in bog, forest and pond habitats. The shortest trail, an elevated boardwalk around the Park pond, is wheelchair accessible. Other trails are soft-surfaced with wood chips. All trails are well marked, and a free trail guide is available in the Nature House. The park is open daily from 7am until sunset and admission is free. The Nature House is open 9am - 5pm everyday, except December 25 and 26, January 1 and November 11 and admission is by donation.
