2. Objectives of Presentation
1. Share facts about Pioneer Forest
2. Explain what Pioneer Forest means to
residents
3. Demonstrate commitment & importance of
keeping Pioneer Forest a park
4. Request Lantzville Mayor and Council's
consideration and support:
● Letter to SD#68
● Letter to City of Nanaimo
4. Pioneer Forest
History:
● 1913: Privately owned by Elizabeth and William Cook
● 1960s/70: Province acquired?
● 1984: Province gave land to City by way of a free Crown
Grant, for as long as it is used as a park
● 1996/7: Property was subdivided and SD#68 became
owner of the forest with no condition
● Nov. 2011: SD#68 & City sign 5-year license agreement
● May 2012: City officially opened off-leash dog park (up
to $75,000 spent on upgrades); City and SD#68 sought to
correct a "housekeeping error" changing OCP designation
from "park and open space" to "neighbourhood"
5. Pioneer Forest
● Rare Coastal Douglas-fir
ecosystem
● Urban forest
● Recreation: easily
accessible for all
● Community involvement
● Balanced development
● A good "fence" between
Lantzville & Nanaimo:
our commons
● Health and well-being
● Long-term community
asset
6. 2. What does Pioneer Park mean to
residents?
● It's my connection with
nature. I can't drive, can't do
stairs or walk on rocks
● It's a big part of what makes
Pioneer Park a recreational
asset; removes pollutants,
reconnects us with the land
● It's why we bought our
house; it was and is a park &
the OCP has it as park and
open space.
● I have walked my dogs here
for years
7. What does Pioneer Park mean to
residents?
● This forest is why I came
back to Nanaimo
● This is where I run every
day and where my kids
connect with nature
● The value of this forest to
the liveability of the area
cannot be replaced
● The land valuation is
$960,000 -- 3 days of SD#68
salaries & benefits. Our
forest is priceless.
8. 3. Protecting Pioneer Forest
● Within a week of aborted City
of Nanaimo public meeting,
100 people gathered in the
forest (June 14)
● "Friends of Pioneer Forest" --
concerned people seeking
engagement to find a
permanent long-term solution
to protect this forest as park
● www.savepioneerforest.com
9. 4. Goodwill support
● Appreciate issue is outside the jurisdiction of the
District of Lantzville
● Also recognize that the impact is real to Lantzville
including loss of green space, more noise, more
pollutants, less pleasing aesthetics, loss to social,
health and well-being of residents, decreased
livability, negative impacts on property values
● Appeal to Council to demonstrate support for the many
residents immediately impacted by this decision
● Please write letters supporting the protection of the
forest to SD#68 and the City of Nanaimo
