GORDON BAY PROVINCIAL PARK MASTER PLAN November, 1995 Southern Vancouver Island District i GORDON BAY PROVINCIAL PARK MASTER PLAN November, 1995 ii iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PLAN HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................................................................-i- Section One: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1 A. What is a Master Plan? ..................................................................................................1 B. Plan Purpose ..................................................................................................................1 C. Key Issues .....................................................................................................................1 D. Background Summary ...................................................................................................2 Section Two: ROLE OF THE PARK ..........................................................................................3 A. Regional and Provincial Context ..................................................................................3 B. Role of Park ..................................................................................................................3 B.1 Conservation Role ..........................................................................................3 B.2 Recreation Role ..............................................................................................5 C. Vision Statement ...........................................................................................................6 C.1 Vision for Conservation .................................................................................6 C.2 Vision for Recreation .....................................................................................6 Section Three: PARK ZONING .................................................................................................7 Introduction .........................................................................................................................7 i. Intensive Recreation Zone ......................................................................................7 ii. Natural Environment Zone ......................................................................................7 iii. Special Feature Zone ...............................................................................................7 Section Four: NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.............................9 Introduction .........................................................................................................................9 Land Management ...............................................................................................................9 Vegetation Management ...................................................................................................11 Water Management ...........................................................................................................12 Wildlife Management .......................................................................................................13 Visual Resource Management ..........................................................................................13 Cultural Resource Management ........................................................................................13 Outdoor Recreation Features ............................................................................................14 Relationship with First Nations ........................................................................................15 iv Section Five: VISITOR SERVICES MANAGEMENT .........................................................16 Introduction........................................................................................................................16 Outdoor Recreation Opportunities ....................................................................................18 · Day Use ...........................................................................................................18 · Fishing .............................................................................................................19 · Boating ............................................................................................................19 · Camping ..........................................................................................................20 · Outdoor Education ..........................................................................................21 · Other Activities ...............................................................................................21 Management Services .......................................................................................................23 A. Park Headquarters and Service Yard ....................................................................23 B. Site and Facility Design Standards .......................................................................23 C. Safety and Health ..................................................................................................23 D. Volunteer Services ................................................................................................24 Promotion and Information Program ................................................................................25 Introduction .......................................................................................................................25 A. Access Strategy .....................................................................................................25 B. Information Strategy .............................................................................................25 C. Marketing and Promotion .....................................................................................26 Section Six: PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ...............................................................................28 Introduction .......................................................................................................................28 Highest Priority Actions .................................................................................................28 Task or Project Oriented Actions ..................................................................................29 · Natural and Cultural Resources Management .................................................29 · Visitor Services Management .........................................................................30 Ongoing and Monitoring Actions ..................................................................................31 · Natural and Cultural Resources Management .................................................31 · Visitor Services Management .........................................................................32 v LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1: Location Map ..........................................................................................................4 Figure 2: Zoning Map .............................................................................................................8 Figure 3: Proposed Park Boundary .......................................................................................10 Figure 4: Existing Development............................................................................................17 Figure 5: Proposed Development .........................................................................................22 APPENDICES Appendices ................................................................................................................................34 Appendix A: Provincial Park System Goals - BC Parks 1990 Appendix B: BC Parks Zoning Policy Appendix C: Background Report vi PLAN HIGHLIGHTS Gordon Bay Provincial Park is almost fully developed. With the exception of a proposed group campsite, no additional campsites are recommended as the beach area is already near capacity. Redesign of existing facilities will enhance future park users visits. Separating the day users from campers by providing a new access to the campground will eliminate congestio n at the park entrance and assist in the overall management of the park. Additions to the existing park of adjacent crown and private lands are recommended for new park access road, alternate recreation purposes and visual aesthetics. The addition of Provincial forestland and crown land situated across Cowichan Lake from the park would protect this area from future resource development, enhance existing recreation opportunities and provide an uninterrupted viewscape. A Vegetation Management Plan will be developed to ensure adequate protection and management of the parks' sensitive and interesting floral environment. Honeymoon Bay Ecological Reserve, located near the park, is very popular in the spring due to its showy wildflower displays. A management plan for this reserve is required. This plan will address such issues as its role/designation, overuse, development, promotion and plant manipulation. Adding the reserve to Gordon Bay Provincial Park and establishing another wildflower eco-reserve nearby are possible options. It is recommended that the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) develop a recreation management plan for the Cowichan Lake area. BC Parks would work closely with the CVRD and other agencies including local representatives