The City of Courtenay is moving forward with the creation of a new park at the McPhee Meadows, a 11.8 acre (4.78 hectare) riverside property with access at 3^rd Street and Harmston Avenue.

McPhee Meadows was donated to the City of Courtenay and Nature Trust BC through the Federal Ecological Gifts Program in 2011 by Robert McPhee, who wanted the site to be maintained as a public wetland park.

The City will work to create a natural park space, with an accessible access.

Background

• The donation through the Federal Ecological Gifts Program comes with requirements that state biodiversity and ecological heritage features must be maintained.
• In 2022, a concept plan for the park was approved by council that included river access points, pedestrian trails, expanded orchard and more. That concept was split into Phase 1 (Meadow/Wetland) and Phase 2 and 3 (Panhandle and Island Corridor Foundation land). See the concept plan here [PDF - 9 MB].
• Upon further review, it was determined that the current access at 3^rd Street and Harmston Avenue does not meet accessibility standards due to its 12-15% grade.
• In July 2024, council directed staff to move forward with Phase 1 of the park plan, revising the park access to 8% grade to meet BC Active Transportation Guidelines, while protecting the environment.
• To meet accessibility guidelines, changes are needed to the permitted uses required by the Federal Ecological Gifts Program.

For more information, visit the McPhee Meadows - Frequently Asked Questions

Project Timeline