Electoral Area B – Cortes Island Parks
Discover the recreational opportunities on Cortes Island.
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NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ACCESS RESTRICTIONS - WHALETOWN COMMONS
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARKING LOT SURFACING ARE COMING THIS WINTER!
• CONSTRUCTION PERIOD
The first phase of work will begin Monday December 15th and is expected to take 2-3 days to complete. A second phase of work will occur in the New Year, the dates for this work are TBD.
• CONSTRUCTION HOURS
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• PARKING LOT CLOSURE
The parking lot will be closed to vehicle access all day (24 hrs) during the construction period.
• PARK ACCESS
Other parts of the park will remain open and pedestrian access through the parking lot will remain open.
Please respect all barriers and follow signage and crew directions.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we enhance this park amenity!
Area B Recreation Opportunities
Cortes Island is a magical place where residents and visitors enjoy a spectacular selection of marine, lake and forest parks and trails. Cortes Island parks users can experience being enveloped in dense forests highlighted by old growth cedars, or exposed in expansive marine areas. Recreational opportunities include superb hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and kayaking. Find out more about the many outdoor recreational activities available here:
Blind Creek Boat Launch
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Cortes Bay Road |
| Category: | Public boat launch |
| Amenities: | Boat ramp, waterfront |
| History: | In 1989, when the site of an unauthorized boat ramp was included in a License of Occupation for a logsort facility, local residents expressed a need for a public boat launch on Cortes Island. This became a reality when the then CSRD was granted a license. |
| Natural Features: | The license area encompasses a productive clam bed (south of the ramp location). |
| Links: | Map |
Carrington Bay Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Carrington Bay |
| Category: | Nature Park |
| Amenities: | Trail, day use area |
| History: | In 2005, the regional district obtained a License of Occupation over the Crown Land that makes up Carrington Bay Park. Historically an informal trail network existed. |
| Natural Features: | Tidal lagoon, shoreline, riparian areas and streams, second growth forest, sensitive bluff ecosystems |
Cortes Skate Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Manson’s Landing |
| Category: | Skate Park |
| Amenities: | Skate park, fenced basketball court |
| Links: | Map |
Hank’s Beach Forest Conservation Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Batholomew Road |
| Category: | Nature Park |
| Amenities: | Trails, waterfront, beach |
| Natural Features: | The park is ecologically significant in that its inland and coastal bluffs form important habitat and a wildlife corridor for many species including black-tailed deer, grey wolf and cougar. The property contains an active great blue heron rookery and several sensitive ecosystems where rare species and plant communities are also represented. |
| History: | Hanks Beach Forest Conservation Park was gifted to the SRD in 2011. The Park is held under a conservation covenant that protects the natural features of the park in perpetuity. |
Hayes Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Hayes Road |
| Category: | Beach Access |
| Amenities: | Trail to beach |
| History: | In 2007, the regional district obtained a permit over the road right-of-way to provide public beach access at the end of Hayes Road. Historically an informal trail existed. |
| Natural Features: | Sandy/rocky beach |
Gnat Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Gnat Road |
| Category: | Beach Access |
| Natural Features: | Second growth forest, rocky beach |
| History: | In 2007, the regional district obtained a permit over the road right-of-way to provide public beach access at the end of Gnat Road. Historically an informal trail existed. |
Kw’as Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island, (Area B) Between Hague and Gunflink Lake |
| Category: | Park |
| Amenities: | Trails, foot bridges, viewpoints |
| History: | Kw’as Park is a 250ha park with numerous interconnecting trails. A remnant steam donkey used to log the area in the early 1900’s can still be found in the park. The SRD has been managing this area as a park since the late 1990’s. |
| Natural Features: | Small patches of old growth and veteran trees remain in the park along with sensitive bluff ecosystems. The Park is located along the shores of Hague Lake and Gunflint Lake which contain a population of cutthroat trout. |
| Links: | Map, Park Guide |
Moon Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Moon Road |
| Category: | Beach Access |
| Natural Features | Second growth forest, sandy beach |
| History: | In 2007, the regional district obtained a permit over the road right-of-way to provide public beach access at the end of Moon Road. Historically an informal trail existed. |
Seascape Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Seascape Road |
| Category: | Beach Access |
| Amenities: | Trail to beach |
| History: | In 2007, the regional district obtained a permit over the road right-of-way to provide public beach access at the end of Seascape Road. Historically an informal trail existed. |
| Natural Features: | Second growth forest, rocky beach |
Siskin Forest Park
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Cemetery Road |
| Category: | Nature Park |
| Natural Features: | Second growth forest, wetland |
| History: | In 2006, the park was dedicated to the regional district during subdivision of the surrounding neighbourhood. The park in held under a conservation covenant, protecting the natural features of the park. The parks trails, including Siskin Forest trails, link various local roads in the neighbourhood. |
Siskin Forest Trails
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Siskin Lane |
| Category: | Nature trails |
| History: | In 2006, the trails were obtained by the regional district during subdivision of the surrounding neighbourhood. The trails are held under a statutory-right-of-way. The trail network is comprised of nearly 4 kilometres of trails that link various roads in the neighbourhood. |
| Natural Features: | Second growth forest |
Whaletown Commons
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Whaletown Community |
| Category: | Community Park |
| Amenities: | Park Space, Trails |
| History: | For more than 20 years, Regional District Board of Directors and Cortes Island residents have worked to protect this 70-acre green space and its unique elements. In 2014 the Regional District purchased the property and it now serves the community as a designated park space. |
| Natural Features: | Riparian area and salmon bearing stream, second growth forest, veteran trees, wildlife corridor. |
Whale’s Rest
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| Location: | Cortes Island (Area B) Harbour Rd, Byers Point Rd. |
| Category: | Community Park, Beach Access |
| Natural Features: | Sandy/rocky beach |
| Amenities: | Trails to beach, picnic tables |
| History: | In 2014, the regional district obtained a permit over the road right-of-way to provide public beach access, trails and picnic benches near the Whaletown Ferry Terminal, between Byers Point Rd and Harbour Rd. |