Municipal agencies, non-profit organizations and First Nations partner to restore a segment of shoreline in Dyke Road Park
Green Shores for Shoreline Development (GSSD) Demonstration Project
Dyke Road Park | Comox, British Columbia
As part of the Resilient Coasts for Salmon (RC4S) project, the Stewardship Centre for BC (SCBC) and Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) are partnering with the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), to develop a Green Shores for Shoreline Development (GSSD) demonstration site along a section of the Comox Estuary shoreline at Dyke Road Park. Other partners include Project Watershed and the K’ómoks First Nation including the Guardian Watchmen.
Project Location
Located on northeastern Vancouver Island, near the communities of Comox and Courtenay, the project site in Dyke Road Park, is located between the K’ómoks Estuary and Comox Road. The park includes a covered bird watching area, an open platform, and parking area. The adjacent estuary is fed by freshwater from the confluence of the Puntledge and Tsolum Rivers and is recognized as a Class 1 estuary, second in importance only to the Fraser River estuary, and one of only eight that are ranked as Class 1 in BC (World Wildlife Fund Canada, 2013). It is also a federally recognized important bird area (IBA) and supports 145 bird species, 218 plant species, 29 fish species (including 5 species of Pacific salmon), and an abundance of intertidal life.
The project area is approximately 0.6 hectares and is within the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. The area proposed for restoration is outlined below in red, at the most southerly section of the 4 parcels: parcel identifier (PID) # 006-291-457.
Dyke Road Park parcels outlined in red with the parcel identifier numbers (PID) shown.
Credit: Dyke Road Park Feasibility Study: Project Watershed
Project Objective
Using a Green Shores® nature-based approach, restoration of this shoreline and components of the adjacent park area will help to reclaim the ecological and cultural values of the site, including the restoration of vital nutrient and sedimentary processes which support the extensive number of significant species found at this location, including five salmon species. Considered options for restoration include: re-grading and stabilization of the eroding backshore; planting of native riparian and upland species to provide habitat for amphibians, insects and birds; shoreline access management; removal of non-native vegetation, concrete, and rock riprap; modificaiton of impervious surfaces (parking); and beach nourishment with a sand-gravel mix of small rock pebbles, pea gravel, and sand. Beach nourishment with these sediments is well suited to provide spawning habitat for forage fish which are an important prey species for salmon and other wildlife. The beach nourishment will also help to stabilize the backshore against erosion and help to prevent coastal squeeze.
First Site Visit
The project was launched with a site visit in August 2021. Attendees included representatives from Comox Valley Regional District, Project Watershed and the Stewardship Centre for BC. On site activities included a viewing of the different areas of the park including segments that could be considered for future phases, along with discussions about possible ideas for restoration.
Representatives from Comox Valley Regional District, Project Watershed and Stewardship Centre for BC met on site in August 2021 to view the Dyke Road Park location. Photo credit: Kelly Loch Resilient Coasts for Salmon project coordinator with the Stewardship Centre for BC.
Located at a highly used and accessible site, this area of Dyke Road Park will benefit from the vision for the Green Shores for Shoreline Demonstration project which includes opportunities for education and hands-on learning about healthy shorelines, restoration and protection of salmon habitat in this important estuary, enhancement of recreational activities such as bird viewing, and the creation of a site that showcases Green Shores as a nature-based solution.
Viewing the shoreline site conditions. Photo credit: Kelly Loch Resilient Coasts for Salmon project coordinator with the Stewardship Centre for BC.
Design Workshop
A design workshop held on March 8, 2022 provided the opportunity for a larger group of partners to meet on site and then participate in collaborative design activities at the CVRD boardroom. Participants included the Comox Valley Regional District – with representatives from planning and parks, the K’ómoks First Nation, Project Watershed, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, Hapa Collaborative, Paul de Greeff Landscape Architect, Stewardship Centre for BC and Pacific Salmon Foundation. The objective of this workshop was to review site conditions and context and to consider possible Green Shores design concepts such as restoration of the estuary salt marsh, removal of invasives and planting of native vegetation, bank stabilization, and stormwater management to limit the movement of parking lot surface contaminants into the aquatic environment. These ideas will be taken forward by the design team of Hapa Collaborative while using coastal engineering studies from Northwest Hydraulics Consultants.
Site visit at Dyke Road Park, March 8, 2022 Photo credit: Kelly Loch Resilient Coasts for Salmon project coordinator with the Stewardship Centre for BC.
Creating Green Shores for Shoreline Development concept designs. Photo credit: Maria Catanzaro Resilient Coasts for Salmon project coordinator with the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
Site Design Dyke Road Park Photo Credit: Kelly Loch Resilient Coasts for Salmon project coordinator with the Stewardship Centre for BC.
Site Design Exercise. Photo credit: Maria Catanzaro Resilient Coasts for Salmon project coordinator with the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
More Information
We look forward to working with our partners on this exciting project. Stay tuned for more updates from our Resilient Coasts for Salmon team! In the meantime, explore our SCBC’s Resilient Coasts for Salmon project page and find additional content on the Pacific Salmon Foundation website.
