This column could be about ghost stories and such, but it’s not. It is about our access to the natural world that makes Roberts Creek such a special place. A little space can mean a lot.
The natural spaces we enjoy break down into two jurisdictions: provincial and regional.
The province oversees the 40 ha. campground, (first come, first serve, opens May 15) as well as the far-flung picnic grounds at Flume Beach, and the three sections of Mt Elphinstone Provincial park, found up Largo Rd, (aka the B & K).
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is caretaker to 12 beach access points, seven parks and a handful of trails. Explore all of this and more at maps.scrd.ca. The parks range from 149-acre Cliff Gilker, to quarter-acre Joe Road park (nearly no one knows it exists!). The two main district parks are:
Cliff Gilker, (the jewel in the crown, IMHO), which is still limping from getting sucker punched Nov. 17. When I drove by that day, the highway was covered in water and logs from inside the park. The latest damage estimate is $155,300 and the timeline for repairs is unknown at this time. Although it’s mostly open, when it returns to its former glory there are five kilometres of forest trails, unique wooden bridges (three under major repair), a multitude of waterfalls, and a wheelchair accessible trail with a viewing platform. The park has a playfield, two baseball diamonds and a playground. There are picnic sites and washroom facilities and an on-site caretaker.
At the foot of Roberts Creek Road is the Pier, a .74-acre waterfront park next to the beach. The pier has natural driftwood bench seats to enjoy the stellar view of the Georgia Strait. During low tide there is a sand bar on the beach. Washroom facilities are available, two are wheelchair accessible. If you lost my phone number, it’s stamped into the top of the post on the “Sunset Gate.” The Mandala will return, Rob promises me.
Emery Road park and trail is a hidden gem, and one I will explore soon. With an entrance just before to co-housing, it winds its way along the ridge above Clack Creek.
At all SCRD parks, dogs must be on leash at all times, except in off-leash areas. Always pick up after your dog and dispose of waste in a garbage bin.
For the nature buff who prefers adrenaline served up with your shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”), take it on two wheels up the B&K. This logging road leads to trails with names like Mach Chicken, Roadside Ribs, Janet’s Jungle, Hwy 102, Black Tower and Built to Spill. To find an app for mountain bike trails on the coast look to trailmapps.com for bike trails, or trailforks.com for all types of trail maps. Get in with our local group,
Coast Mountain Bike Trail Association to learn more and pitch in!
I am looking for Gumboot Nation ghost stories, send them to [email protected] for my future column “Supernatural Gumboot Nation.”
