A non-vehicular switchback path on the water side of Snaw-Naw-As Rd. is expected to be built by late next year after a substantial provincial grant was approved. (Google Earth)

By Ian Holmes

active transportation

Nanoose First Nation multi-use path to enhance community connectivity and safety

Oct 16, 2021 | 7:15 AM

NANAIMO — A significant provincial grant will allow a paved non-vehicular path to safely accomodate people to and from Snaw-Naw-As territory.

Craig Edwards, Nanoose First Nation’s economic development manager, said the 450 metre long path along Snaw-Naw-As Rd. will connect from their campground to Lantzville Rd. above thanks to a $441,000 B.C. Government grant.

“Having this trail with the switch backs in place and helping to create less of an incline for our people to come up will be really beneficial for our elders,” Edwards said of the planned link to their market service station fronting the Island Hwy.

The trail to include lighting will make life more convenient and safer for Snaw-Naw-As residents and visitors, Edwards emphasized.

The new trail is planned to serve as a hub to connect to other roughed in pedestrian trails on Snaw-Naw-As land be built in the future, Edwards said.

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He said active transportation options will be required as Snaw-Naw-As executes plans to enhance its campground and waterfront.

“The infrastructure that we have in place right now really isn’t ample enough to support our future development goals,” Edwards told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Over the past five years we’ve been having a focus on how we’re going to redevelop the waterfront to be ready for this potential development.”

Edwards said their pending multi-use path project requires final design tinkering which will be ironed out with their community over the next several weeks.

“Once that’s finalized we’ll start looking at getting everything moving forward for construction I’m hoping by the end of 2022 we’ll see this project completed.”

Last month the province awarded $12.7 million toward shovel-ready active transportation projects to 33 B.C. Communities to increase walking, cycling and improve safety to vulnerable road users.

The funds included $500,000 for phase two of an extensive overhaul a section of Metral Dr. in north Nanaimo.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes