Camping coming to Bowen Island, Metro Vancouver to spend $40 million on new park

As BC Parks are inundated with campers during the summer, a new destination might soon be in the cards.

Metro Vancouver announced Wednesday its plans to create a new regional park at Cape Roger Curtis on Bowen Island, just off the coast of West Vancouver.

The plan, according to the regional body, is to have both a day use and overnight camping area amongst the 97 hectares that would make up the new park, at a cost of approximately $40 million.

Metro Vancouver has plans for a new regional park at Cape Roger Curtis on Bowen Island. The vision includes:
Trails, picnic areas, water access
Around 90 tent campsites
Accessible by bike and bus
Protection for the dry coastal bluff landscape
https://t.co/pKsgfVp9jl pic.twitter.com/G6TasNEFv5

— Metro Vancouver (@MetroVancouver) August 10, 2022

“Regional parks safeguard natural areas that are home to important ecosystems and contribute to the health and well-being of our residents by connecting them with natural spaces,” Sav Dhaliwal, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors, said. “Expanding the regional parks system is a Board priority and supports climate action and regional growth targets.”

Metro Vancouver now has a conditional agreement to purchase 24 parcels of land on the southwest tip of the island, with the agreement in effect until spring 2023. Metro Vancouver is now looking for other financial partners to “help acquire and develop” the park.

Preliminary concepts for the park include picnic areas, trails, beach access, and 95 campsites.

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The park is located on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) territory and the body says discussions are now underway with the Nation about opportunities to work together in a good way on the development and stewardship of the park.

“This regional park will make it easier for current and future generations to enjoy nature and help to preserve the coastal ecosystem, which Squamish Nation has stewarded since time immemorial,” said Nation spokesperson and councillor Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams). “We look forward to working in partnership with Metro Vancouver and Bowen Island Municipality to see how we can incorporate our language and culture in the park planning process.”

The park is also located within the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Accessible by active transit and public transit, Bowen Island is also a day-trip destination for people across the Lower Mainland.

“This new regional park initiative is incredible news, not just for Bowen Island, but for the entire region,” Gary Ander, mayor of Bowen Island Municipality, said. “Cape Roger Curtis holds some of the most unique ecological characteristics in the region — and this park enhances local efforts by the Bowen Island Conservancy and many islanders to protect the area. It will provide excellent recreational and educational opportunities for island and regional residents alike for years to come. The municipality looks forward to working with Metro Vancouver on this exciting initiative.”