Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail - Updates & Status
Questions / Concerns:
Wendy Marshall
RDN Manager of Parks Services
250-248-4744 or
1-888-828-2069
September 17, 2018
Trail Repairs at Morningside Creek Crossing
Final repairs commence Tuesday September 18, 2018 on the section of trail between Virginia Rd and the Woodlot driveway that was damaged January past by flooding. Please use caution when along this section and seek an ‘OK’ from crew before you pass large equipment. Work will be completed before the end of September.March 16, 2018
Springwood Park Parking Lot Paving
The City of Parksville advises that the dog-park parking lot at Springwood which serves as trailhead for the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail will be paved starting the week of March 19th. Rail Trail users may need to approach the trail by walking up through the ball field area of the park. Spring is here and it's time to stretch out with a run, ride or walk to Coombs!March 5, 2018
Post-Flooding Trail Repairs Commence
Initial repairs to the damaged section of trail between Virginia Rd and the Woodlot driveway commence this week. Please use caution when along this section and seek an 'OK' from crew before you pass large equipment.January 30, 2018
Trail Re-opens between Woodlot Driveway and Virginia Rd
The recent floodwaters have receded and the Rail Trail is once again open for passage. Please stay to the centre of the trail.January 29, 2018
Trail Closed between Woodlot Driveway and Virginia Rd Due to Flooding
Weekend rains have caused more flooding west of the Woodlot driveway. The trail west of the driveway to Virginia Road is closed until further notice.January 23, 2018
Trail Damage Due to Flooding
Users are advised to take caution when travelling the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail between the Crown Woodlot driveway and Virginia Road (area in Coombs across from Shearme Rd and Hwy 4A). The trail surface is uneven and the trail sides have been damaged as a result of recent heavy rains. Please stay to the centre of the trail.September 1, 2017
Beacons, Way Markers and the Fall Opening
The pedestrian controlled beacons at Church Rd and at Hwy 4A and the Station Rd trailhead in Coombs are up and functioning. Look both ways and when the passage is clear, push the button and head out across the road.Way Markers indicating how many kilometres from the Parksville or Coombs trailhead kiosk you have travelled and how many kilometres lie ahead of you to the other end of the (just about) 7 km long Rail Trail are now in place.
The official opening of the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail is set for Saturday October 14th. The event will also involve a celebration of the RDN’s 50th anniversary. Mark it on your calendar! More details will follow in early October.
June 20, 2017
Installation of Pedestrian Controlled Beacons and Parking Controls
Over the coming weeks, the Rail Trail contractor will be installing beacons at Church Rd and the Trail, along with parking controls in the vicinity. Similar work will be undertaken at Hwy 4A and Station Rd over this period.The Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail will remain open during the works, though users may encounter delays at Church Rd and at Station Rd and Hwy 4A. Please follow all directions issued at site by the contractor. Safety is everyone's concern.
Also coming soon: multi-use etiquette and way-marking signage.
June 2, 2017
End of Temporary Horse Prohibition and Installation of Beacons
At the May 19th meeting of the Regional Parks and Trails Steering Committee, Regional Board members supported the return of horses to the new Rail Trail as soon as possible. The temporary prohibition is lifted effective June 2nd. Trail etiquette signage will be erected during June.Also coming in June: pedestrian controlled beacons at the trail crossing of Church Road and of Hwy 4A at Station Road in Coombs, along with some vehicular parking controls around these crossings.
May 5, 2017
Official Opening
Work continues on finishing the new Rail Trail. The official opening will now take place in the fall of 2017. In the meantime, enjoy the trail!May 2, 2017
Notice - Temporary Prohibition of Horses in Effect on the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail
The Board of the Regional District of Nanaimo has determined that a temporary ban on horses will apply on the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail until the end of June 2017. The Board also resolved to discuss the matter of suitable accommodation for equestrians on Regional Trails at the Regional Parks and Trails Steering Committee.May 1, 2017 - Updates
The two pedestrian rail crossings have now been completed, five animal proof garbage cans have been installed along the course of the trail, and signs are up advising users that dogs must be on leash with dog poop scooped and poop bags disposed of in the garbage cans provided. A ban on horses along the trail will be in effect until the end of June. Coming soon: pedestrian controlled beacons at Church and at Station, way-markers, trail grooming, and the official opening of the trail. Please obey all signs when workers are active on the trail. Safety is everyone's concern.April 7, 2017
Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail - Week of Temporary Closure Ends
Work on the two pedestrian rail crossings of the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail is now partially complete and users may once again use the Springwood Park Trailhead to Nicnbec Road section of the new Rail Trail. At some point during the week of April 10th or April 17th, the trail contractor will return to site for half a day in order to pave the rail crossings approaches. A temporary closure of the Springwood to Nicnbec section of the Rail Trail will be posted on paving day.Over the course of April and May 2017, final trail works including the installation of pedestrian controlled beacons at Church Rd and Station Rd will be carried out. Expect temporary and partial trail closures as works are completed. Please obey all posted signs. Safety is job number one.