Denman Cross Island Trail

• Background / Timeline

  To date, approximately 5 kilometres of trail has been constructed consisting of a mix of forested and open trail.

  • 2011 and 2012: discussions between the CVRD and the Denman Island Residents Association focused on high-level route planning, determining the feasibility of building a ferry-to-ferry trail, and developing a general trail alignment to present to the community for feedback.
  • 2013: public open house to gather community input.
  • 2014: second open house to generate feedback on updated trail design and next steps.
  • 2017: most recent section of the trail was completed, spanning from Swan Road to Corrigal Road along Denman Road and East Road. This created a safe multi-use path away from the East Road corner. Users will find that the newest section of trail uses a finer surfacing material which creates a smoother surface for cyclists, pedestrians and horses.
  • Sept 2019: CVRD received community feedback at the farmer's market from residents and visitors. More information on what was discussed can be found here: 2018 presentation boards and 2019 presentation boards. Results from the 2018 public consultation initiatives are available for review here: Denman Cross Island Trail Survey Results.
  • March 2023: Design work has been completed for a 3.5 km section of the Denman Cross Island Trail between Owl Crescent and the Gravelly Bay ferry terminal along East Road on Denman Island.
  • August 2023: The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) tendered and awarded this project to a Comox Valley contractor. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2023.
  • October 2023: construction began on the trail, with two major sections being completed: a 3.5 km portion from Owl Crescent to Gravelly Bay, and a 180 metre portion in downtown Denman Island.
• Community Open House - January 16, 2013

  The CVRD hosted a community open house in January 2013 to get feedback on the proposed route and trail design. Over 90 people attended the meeting, viewed the panels and/or the presentations and participated in the discussions. Below is the information provided at the open house and the written public comments received:

  • Open House Panels 1 - 5
  • Open House Panels 6 -11
  • Summary - comment forms received
  • Compilation - comment forms received
  • Compilation - emails and letters received
• Community Open House #2 - June 3, 2014

  The CVRD held a second open house in June 2014 at the Denman Community Hall to gather feedback on trail design and next steps. Below are the panels and trail options presented:

  • History: Denman Cross-Island Trail 
  • Construction prep: graffiti fence toward Swan Road
  • Trail Alignment
  • Trail Option 1
  • Trail Option 2
  • Trail Option 3
  • Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is the project funded?

  The first section of the trail through the village was funded from a combination of the Denman/Hornby Islands parks and greenways service (residential tax levy),  Community Works funds (federal gas taxes) and a small grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

  The next section from the top of the big hill to Central Park (and further if there are sufficient funds) will be funded entirely from the community works fund (federal gas tax funding).

  The newly designed portion (fall 2023 construction) was made possible because of funding from a B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure grant and the federal Community Works program.

• Why a cross-island trail?

  The Denman Cross-Island Trail was identified as a top priority for the CVRD to pursue during the 2010-2011 planning process for the Denman Island Parks and Greenways Master Plan.

  The intent for the cross-island trail is to provide a safe route for pedestrians, cyclists and horseback riders to travel across the island and to connect key amenities such as the village, Central Park, the Old School, Cable Beach and the two ferry terminals.

• What is the proposed route and trail width?

  For most of its length, the proposed trail route follows Denman and East roads and runs alongside the existing road system. The proposal is to divert the trail for a short stretch along Corrigal Road and an unopened road allowance that links to Mallard Way and from there to Owl Crescent and back to East Road. Where it runs alongside the road and where the right-of-way width permits, the trail will be separated from the road pavement by a 0.30 – 2 m wide vegetated strip.  The trail is proposed to be 2 metres wide for most of the distance; however, it may narrow in sections to accommodate an adjacent dirt path for horses or where difficult terrain limits the width. The goal is to have the least road crossings possible and keep the trail a constant width.

• Why was the original trail alignment along Denman and East Roads rather than Lacon-McFarlane Roads?

  From October 2011 to October 2012, CVRD staff worked with the Denman Island Trails Committee, a volunteer committee of the Denman Island Residents Association (DIRA), to review the feasibility of a trail along two possible corridors – the Lacon-McFarlane Road right-of-way and the Denman-East Road right-of-way.

  Trails Committee members volunteered their time to walk the two corridors to identify difficult and easy sections. In spring 2012, the Committee presented their recommendation – a multi-use trail along Denman and East Road – to DIRA and to the CVRD for their endorsement.

  Considerations that lead to identifying the proposed route, are:

  • Both possible routes present challenges and have pinch points but much of the Denman-East Road route is technically easier.
  • The Denman-East Road route serves both tourists commuting from one ferry terminal to the other and Denman Island residents since it will connect many of the places Denman Island residents frequent. Specifically, the trail will connect the following places: Central Park, East Road beach accesses, fire-hall and ambulance station, the Chocolate Factory, the church and the Old School which includes the Free Store, Saturday Market and Recycling Centre, the Local Trust Office, Denman Conservancy Room and the Denman Weavers and Spinners.
  • The route links to Fillongley Park, Graham Lake and Cable Beach.
  • The route has less heavy commercial traffic (some trucks avoid the big hill) which enhances travel safety and enjoyment.
  • The route represents the least environmental impact (e.g. it avoids Morrison marsh and wetlands) while providing more travel vistas.
  • The route allows the most consistent pathway separation from the traveled portion of the road and the lesser number of required crossings.
  • A multi-use trail within the Denman–East Road corridor will provide a future part of any North-South trail on Denman providing links to both Swan Road and the new Northlands Park area.
• What will happen to the graffiti fence at the top of the big hill?

  In May 2026 the grafitti fence at the top of the big hill was removed and replaced as a joint effort between the Denman Community and the Comox Valley Regional District.