Description

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is responsible for the planning, operation and maintenance of regional trails within the capital region. As identified in the Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan (2018), the first regional trail segment to be developed in the Gulf Islands is Phase 1 of the Mayne Island Regional Trail. This 2.3 km bike and pedestrian trail will be developed between Village Bay and Miners Bay village. The CRD’s Engineering Services and Regional Parks divisions will oversee the development of the trail. Construction began in November of 2022 and will be completed in 2024.

The Gulf Islands Regional Trail Plan prioritizes regional trail development in a phased approach with an initial segment of trail developed on each island. The 2.3 km segment of Mayne Island Regional Trail is identified as a pilot project to inform future regional trail development on the Gulf Islands.

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Grant

Funding support through an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure grant is being provided by the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia. The grant was announced in early July 2020, allowing the CRD to accelerate the planning and design phase. This project could not have moved forward at this time without the financial support of this federal/provincial program. Additional funding support for the project is provided by CRD Regional Parks.

British Columbia Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant

The B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program offers grant options for Indigenous governments and local governments, including municipalities and regional districts. The CRD was approved for grant funding in February 2023 for the Mayne Island Regional Trail - Phase 1 as part of an active transportation network.

Trail Route

A conceptual regional trail route for Mayne Island was first considered in 2015 and a preliminary design was initiated shortly thereafter. In summer 2017, an open house was held on Mayne Island to showcase the Mayne Island Regional Trail Phase 1 design and the larger Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan project. The Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan was approved by the CRD Board in early 2018. Since 2020, work has been done to finalize the trail route, which is being developed adjacent to and on the north side of Village Bay Road between the BC Ferries terminal and Naylor Road.

• Mayne Island Regional Trail Phase 1 - Route Map (PDF)

Project Information 

• January 2022 Newsletter (PDF)

Project Schedule

Completed

• Confirm route in the field
• Notify local government
• Notify route neighbours
• License of Occupation with Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure
• Finalize tender-ready trail design
• Tree removal
• Native plant salvage
• Tender for construction
• Construction start
• Finalize required land agreements

On-going

• First Nations engagement                           
  

2024

• Construction continues/completed

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the trail be completed?

The trail construction will begin in 2022 and is estimated to be complete by mid 2024.

Are there opportunities to be involved in trail construction activities?

The CRD issued a Request for Expressions of Interest for Local Labourers and First Nations in December 2021 and re-issued in March and May of 2022. The list was passed on to contractors without prejudice as part of the construction tender package.

How much will it cost?

Project costs include a wide range of components including project management costs, construction management costs, contract administration, required assessments (e.g., environmental, geotechnical, archaeological), final design, all construction related aspects (e.g., earthworks, retaining walls, any necessary rock removal, relocation of utilities, culverts, base and surfacing materials), signage, and a trail opening event.  Since the original cost estimate was developed significant effort has been made through design adjustments to reduce construction costs.  A revised cost estimate was undertaken in Spring 2022 and informed the construction tender. 

Where is the money coming from?

CRD Regional Parks has been accruing $200,000/year since 2016 to assist in the planning and development of regional trails in the Southern Gulf Islands and Salt Spring Island Electoral Areas. To-date these funds have also supported the development of the Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan (past project) and the development of engineering design for initial sections of future regional trails on North Pender, Galiano and Saturna Islands.

In addition, the CRD has been approved for an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant to assist with the development of Phase 1 of the Mayne Island Regional Trail. This is a joint federal/provincial grant. In February of 2023, the CRD was also approved for a grant of up to $500,000 under the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program.

Who chose the standards for the trail (width, materials)?

Regional trail development guidelines were established as part of the Regional Trails Management Plan, which was approved by the CRD Board in 2016. The low-use rural, wilderness or sensitive area design is being used for the Mayne Island Regional Trail, rather than the standard regional trail design.

How does the CRD mitigate environmental impacts from the trail development?

The CRD endeavors to protect significant natural features and minimize environmental impacts along the route to the greatest degree possible, while ensuring a safe trail is developed. The CRD engages with environmental consultants, arborists, and engineers in the planning and design stage. The environmental consultant identifies ecological attributes, riparian areas, wildlife and bird habitat, sensitive ecosystems and protected species and provides suggestions to minimize disturbances and to mitigate impacts. Arborists assesses health of existing trees and provides recommendations for tree preservation and removals.

Will any trees need to be removed to make room for the trail?

The CRD worked to reduce impact on trees through design adjustments and engaging an arborist to assess the condition and stability of trees adjacent to and within the trail alignment. Through these efforts the tree removal count was reduced from 70-80 trees to be removed down to 44 trees. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approved a plan to provide the timber to Tsartlip First Nation and the chipped materials were used on Mayne Island for restoration projects in regional parks. Tree removals were completed in March and October 2022 and March 2023.

When will all the regional trails on the Gulf Islands be completed?

As noted in the Gulf Islands Regional Trails Plan (GIRTP), the development of the regional trail system in the Gulf Islands is a long term initiative and will require significant external funding. Specific delivery of individual trail segments will be undertaken when adequate internal and external funding is available. The initial segment of the Mayne Island Regional Trail is the first installment and lessons learned from the delivery of this segment will be applied to subsequent trail sections.