Greenways & Benefits
Living Forest Communities is presenting a unique concept to the Shawnigan Lake community for greenways and public amenities. One of the significant benefits to the community is the large area of the property set aside through the mechanism of conservation. This step recognizes the ecological value of these conservation areas and the necessity to protect and study their wildlife populations “undisturbed” over time. This also recognizes the value in protecting large scale forest stands to provide carbon sequestering in this era of global climate change. It is worth noting that by placing these tree stands in restrictive covenants rather than logging them, Elkington Forest is foregoing approximately $4 million in logging revenues (Huock Resources, Timber Cruise 2008).
The Community Development Manager is proposing that three public amenities be constructed given the proposed development’s close proximity to the current and future Trans Canada Trail. This development will be the first logical spot to stop when traveling north from Goldstream Park or when hiking south from the Kinsol Trestle and the Shawnigan Lake area. It will relieve much of the pressure felt by the CRD Park at Wrigglesworth Lake. We envisage a cycle-friendly and hiker-friendly development context in the Trailhead Hamlet.
Within the Trailhead Hamlet, we will construct, at our cost, 1) an integrated picnic area with a covered BBQ area for the residents and users of the trail, and 2) a public washroom facility. We propose that a public body manage and operate the washroom facility.
As the third amenity, we propose to construct a series of interpretive walking trails and educational buildings from the Trailhead Hamlet around Elkington Pond. These trails and structures will facilitate education programs outlining the biogeoclimatic zone (CWHxm1), its localized ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and the development of these ecosystems over time to their climax states. These programs will be made available to local schools, post-secondary institutions, and conservation groups (Sierra Club, TLC, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, etc.). The programs will be carefully implemented to respect the needs of wildlife to exist in a largely undisturbed state in their natural habitats.
In addition, the proposed land use designation will permit one live/work business to start a coffee shop or small corner store, and other home-based businesses may also take the opportunity to provide other amenities and services such as bicycle repair or guided eco-tourism adventures. The homeowners will also be able to establish bed and breakfast operations, with three rooms or less, that are staffed by the residents of the homes and one non-resident.
The Community Development Manager is proposing that three public amenities be constructed given the proposed development’s close proximity to the current and future Trans Canada Trail. This development will be the first logical spot to stop when traveling north from Goldstream Park or when hiking south from the Kinsol Trestle and the Shawnigan Lake area. It will relieve much of the pressure felt by the CRD Park at Wrigglesworth Lake. We envisage a cycle-friendly and hiker-friendly development context in the Trailhead Hamlet.Within the Trailhead Hamlet, we will construct, at our cost, 1) an integrated picnic area with a covered BBQ area for the residents and users of the trail, and 2) a public washroom facility. We propose that a public body manage and operate the washroom facility.
As the third amenity, we propose to construct a series of interpretive walking trails and educational buildings from the Trailhead Hamlet around Elkington Pond. These trails and structures will facilitate education programs outlining the biogeoclimatic zone (CWHxm1), its localized ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and the development of these ecosystems over time to their climax states. These programs will be made available to local schools, post-secondary institutions, and conservation groups (Sierra Club, TLC, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, etc.). The programs will be carefully implemented to respect the needs of wildlife to exist in a largely undisturbed state in their natural habitats.In addition, the proposed land use designation will permit one live/work business to start a coffee shop or small corner store, and other home-based businesses may also take the opportunity to provide other amenities and services such as bicycle repair or guided eco-tourism adventures. The homeowners will also be able to establish bed and breakfast operations, with three rooms or less, that are staffed by the residents of the homes and one non-resident.