Visitors to Mount Benson Regional Park will now have a new lot in which to park their vehicles.
In January, the Regional District of Nanaimo board voted in favour of awarding a $527,000 tender to Milestone Equipment Contracting Inc. for the lot project and according to the RDN, the lot is now open.
The lot previously accommodated 24 vehicles and now has more than 100 spaces and in addition, the RDN said a new trail leading from the Benson View Road lot to the mountain is expected to be completed by the end of the month. A detour to the existing trail will be provided along Harrow Road, with temporary signs pointing visitors in the direction of the detour.
“As directed by the RDN board, the existing parking lot and floating boardwalk will remain open, and a report will be prepared for the board in the summer of 2020 regarding the use of the site,” said the RDN. “The use of both parking areas will be monitored through trail counter data and site visits by staff and contractors.”
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The parking lot will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the summer and from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the winter, the RDN said.
The existing parking area at Witchcraft Lake will remain open.
More information will be coming out in the coming weeks and information will be posted on social media and the RDN’s website.
