History
In 2011 the Denman Island Parks and Greenway Masterplan was adopted and identified connections between existing public trails and recreational greenways. One connection that was prioritised was from Park Road to the Denman North Provincial Park to provide much needed public access to the East side of the park. At this time Eastern access to the provincial park required the crossing of private land.
In 2015, conversations on achieving the connection began between the Denman Island Residents Association (DIRA) Parks Committee, CVRD Parks and BC Parks. The favoured option was to request an statutory right-of-way (SRW) from multiple property owners to the north of the park to utilise an existing road running across their properties as the access. The road used to be a gravel pit access road but now the pit is inactive. Historically this was the location the railways used for logging in the area, hence the name.
In 2018 the CVRD received approval from property owners and the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for the SRW and to complete the connector trail. Since the location of the road is 30 meters from the park boundary the decision was made to create a 6 meter wide SRW to encompass the existing road prism to minimise the size of the SRW. As the existing gravel pit road was in good shape, few upgrades were needed for the SRW trail. The DIRA Parks and Trails Committees in concert with BC Parks built a small, 150 meter trail through the provincial park to connect to the SRW trail in 2019. Signage along the SRW detailing access to Denman Island Provincial Park was also installed at that time.
Information
The 4-6 meter wide gravel, multi-use trail runs through a recently logged area of Denman Island. The surrounding trees are a mix of young Lodgepole Pine, Western White Pine and Douglas fir. As with the rest of the Northeastern side of Denman Island the trail lies on the Quadra sand cliffs and is very dry with very sandy soils.
The SRW trail connects into multiple trails within the Denman North Provincial Park and provides northern access to the trails around Chickadee Lake and other trail loops within the park.
Location
The Railway Connector Trail lies closer to the North end of Denman Island and on the Eastern side of the Denman North Provincial Park. The trail is accessed from Park Road.
Park Etiquette
- Park is a six meter wide SRW trail with private land on either side of the SRW. Please respect the neighbouring properties and stay on the trail.
- Pet leashing is optional, pick up after your pets.
- Multi-use trail, walkers and cyclist yield to horses.