This project created four distinct seating and viewscape sites along the ‘all ages and abilities’ waterfront Rail Trail park area adjacent to the village’s commercial core. Project components included colourful benches, tables and chairs, coordinated across each site to symbolically connect the four viewing portals, as well as artfully designed bicycle racks.
Connectivity between Shawnigan Valley and the nearby lakeside walking/cycling trail was identified as a priority through a robust engagement process initiated in 2019 and updated during the pandemic. This project represents the first phase in a comprehensive plan to develop the Village as a complete community, create a vibrant tourism sector, and revitalize the small business core.
Island Coastal Economic Trust approved funding for this project in 2021 through the Community Placemaking program.
We work in reciprocal relationships with coastal communities across the ancestral territories of the Kwak̓wala, Nuučaan̓uɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda'xw, Pəntl'áč, She shashishalhem, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
