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New multi-use trail near Lantzville and Nanaimo
A new multi-use trail is hidden just off the Island Highway near Nanaimo. It's the first section of a six-part series that the District of Lantzville plans to build over the next few years.
Strollers, walkers, runners, bikers and wheelchair users are allowed on the E&N Trailway. Just keep your eyes peeled! Fortunately, there is plenty of room on the Trailway, which measures more than five feet wide.
The best part of the Trailway is actually not on the trail itself. It's the fact that it connects to Nanaimo's Parkway Trail, which runs alongside Nanaimo Parkway.
The Parkway Trail starts in Chase river and parallels the road all the way north to Woodgrove Mall. Until now, that was the end of the road, so to speak. The new trail continues into Lantzville, so now users can continue on another 1.6km or head back into town.
The new section of paved trail starts on Aulds Road near Clark Drive just off the Nanaimo Parkway. If you are driving north on the Parkway and turn left onto Aulds Road away from the mall, you can hop onto the new trail at Clarke Drive.
The new pavement follows the railroad tracks over to Ware Road in upper Lantzville. You can access Ware Road easily off the Island Highway as well, just north of Woodgrove Mall in Nanaimo.
Near the south end is a well-built bridge crossing a small stream that runs under the railroad and the path. I'm a sucker for small creeks and streams so I spent a few minutes there away from the noise of the cars and the city. The sound of the water quickly reminded me why I live on Vancouver Island: I can run, ride or walk just a few minutes out of the city to reach a beautiful sanctuary and listen to the peaceful noises of a small stream.
The trail was funded, in part, by the Towns for Tomorrow initiative, which has supported more than 200 projects. The program's aim is to help produce vibrant, integrated, creative and prosperous communities. I'd say it was money well spent and I look forward to running and riding the trail more in the future.
- Photos & text by Ross Collicutt©
