The Cowichan Valley Regional District wants to hear from the public on the future of Old Baldy Mountain, located near Shawnigan Lake.
The CVRD has begun a comprehensive public engagement process for people to provide input on shaping the future of the mountain, whose summit rises 458 metres above sea level and provides impressive 360-degree views of Shawnigan Lake and surrounding areas as far as Sidney, Salt Spring Island and some southern Gulf Islands.
The CVRD is hosting an open house on April 6 at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at which local residents, community-interest groups, stakeholders and park enthusiasts are invited to contribute ideas, preferences, and insights towards developing a sustainable and inclusive park-management plan for Old Baldy Mountain.
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The open house will provide an opportunity for residents to engage directly with CVRD staff and the consulting team preparing the management plan for the mountain.
Attendees can learn more about the current state of Old Baldy Mountain Park, ask questions, and share their thoughts and ideas on how the park can best serve the community.
An online survey that is also designed to gather input on the community’s ideas for the mountain has already begun and will run until April 9.
The survey is accessible at planyourcowichan.ca, and printed surveys are available for pick up and drop off at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre.
“I’m thrilled that the local community will have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Old Baldy Mountain Park by engaging with the management plan,” said Sierra Acton, the CVRD’s director for Shawnigan Lake.
“Old Baldy Mountain Park is a cherished natural space, and it’s essential that the community is involved with developing a plan that reflects the needs and desires of residents and visitors, while supporting environmental preservation.”
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The CVRD paid $1.5 million to a private landowner for 100 acres of property at the top and western slopes of Old Baldy Mountain, which had been logged and threatened by development proposals, in 2015.
Preserving the mountain, which has been featured in some of the works of renowned artist E. J. Hughes, as a nature park and protecting its sensitive ecosystems had been a high priority for Shawnigan Lake residents for years.
Small native plants and mosses grow along the mountain’s western and southern slopes, and older second-growth forest grows on the northern slopes, and it’s expected that protecting these features will be a priority in managing these lands as a natural park.
“The information gathered through the survey and the public open house will guide the development of a comprehensive park-management plan that balances environmental protection of sensitive ecosystems with outdoor recreational opportunities, ensuring Old Baldy Mountain Park remains a valuable asset for current and future generations,” the CVRD said in a statement.
“Residents and partners are encouraged to participate in the survey, attend the public open house, and contribute their thoughts and ideas to this exciting community-driven initiative. Together, we can create a park-management plan that reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the Shawnigan Lake community and region.”