Loudon Park - Long Lake

Loudon Park, by Long Lake, is just off the Island Highway. There's a very short trail along the shore, starting from the parking lot. Next to the parking lot, there are a few picnic tables.

(2020-06-11)

Boat launch into Long Lake

Historic spot on the shore of Long Lake

View from the beach at Long Lake

Anyone for fishing?

Residential development across the lake

Neck Point Park

I'm not sure if I can call Neck Point Park my favourite of all the Nanaimo parks, but it's surely the one I've visited the most frequently. The reasons are many; easy access, plenty of parking, land and seascape variety, plus a choice of preferred elevation gain, to name but a few. Certainly I'm attracted to the fact that the park offers pleasant forest paths leading to a variety of beaches. In total, there are five different beaches to explore; Finn, Last, Indian, Sunset, and Keel.

Furthest from the parking lot is Sunset Beach (Although I've been here many times,
I can't say I've ever been here at sunset)...2017-06-16

Indian Beach; pebbles and rocks...

Indian Beach; pebbles and rocks...

Looking out over the Salish Sea with Shack Island in the distance to the right...

Looking back onto Indian Beach; pebbles and rocks...

Coming home from the fishing grounds...

Around the corner, to the left, the neck of Neck point...

Take a load off...

A path through the Neck point Park meadow...

Moorcroft Park in January Snow

In the weeks prior to this visit to Moorecroft Regional Park, I'd been reading about the impending purchase of this property by Nanaimo Regional Parks. This post doesn't give a typical view of the park, what with the ground being covered in snow, but it does show that the park is worth a visit regardless of the weather.

• Location: 49.24634,-124.143711

 Interesting ray of sunshine through the trees as we leave the parking lot.
At this stage the cabins are still standing. (2012-01-15)

I found this amusing: Snow. No lifeguard.  (2012-01-15)

Here the trail skirts the bay. (2012-01-15)

 Hearty West Coasters; sailing in the snow... (2012-01-15)

Vesper Point.  (2012-01-15)

Boathouse at Moorecroft Park. (2012-01-15)

 The bay at Moorecroft Park. (2012-01-15)

 Looking out over Vesper Point and the Salish Sea. (2012-01-15)

Roberts Memorial Provincial Park

Roberts Memorial Provincial Park is located 15 km south of Nanaimo. From Highway 1, take the Cedar Road exit, then turn on to Yellowpoint Road. Follow Yellowpoint Road until you see the familiar wooden Provincial Park sign.

Trail along a sandstone ledge: Roberts Memorial Park

Right behind the sign is a decent sized parking lot with a notice board that includes a map of the park and other useful bits of information.

The trail to the beach starts right behind the notice board. This 1-kilometer trail takes visitors through a traditional West Coast forest before arriving at the beach overlooking scenic Stewart Channel. 

Cascadia surveys her domain: Roberts Memorial Park

The beach at Roberts Memorial Park is unique. Rather than the more common rock or pebble beach, or the idealized sandy beach, this beach features a series of sandstone ledges. Thus, walking this beach is as easy as walking on a city sidewalk.

Sandstone "beach": Roberts Memorial Park

And, for sunbathers, there are plenty of clean, smooth surfaces to put a towel upon. Clearly that's what attracts the Steller’s and California sea lions, who haul out to bask in the sun on these unique sandstone ledges during the summer months.