The 6.2 kilometres of seawalk starts south of the Hidden Harbour condominums, beyond the bottom of a hill that’s steeper than it appears when you’re on foot. Sitting on a nearby bench, it strikes me that condo residents could supplement their income in the fall and winter by offering up close and personal views of the angry, swelling waters of Discovery Passage. But not today. The view from the seawalk is one of calm, peaceful water interrupted only by an unbroken line of kelp stretching almost as far as my eye can see.
Locals and tourists alike have Campbell River Noon Rotary to thank for this wonderful seawalk that stretches to Maryland Road. It’s a terrific way to enjoy the water that is so much part of our lives in this community.
Adding phases to the Seawalk project has become a club tradition, said Rotary Special Projects Chair and Past President Ted Foster recently.
From the first phase that opened in March 1996 at a cost to Rotary of $75,000 to the Seawalk Completion project undertaken in 2007 under President Marlene Wright that included the renewal of the 50th Parallel marker, the refurbishment of the information displays in the Seawalk Centre at the south end and several information posts along the Seawalk Rotary, funds have come from the community, specifically from the proceeds of Rotary’s annual local tv auction.
Monies invested to date exceeds $1 million. This doesn’t include land acquisition, maintenance costs, the value of volunteer work or donated goods and services.
Funding partners have been the Coast Sustainability Trust, the province of BC, Cycling Network and Access, City of Campbell River, Area “D” of the regional district, Campbell River Tide Guides, the Marine Trades Association, Weyerhaeuser, Maryland Estates and a public fundraising appeal that raised approximately $30,000.
On this particular afternoon, cyclists and walkers are sparse. I guess it’s true about only mad dogs and Englishmen going out in the noon day sun. I’d add Ginas to that. However, two black members of the Small Dog Group clearly enjoy their roll in the grass at Rotary Beach Park, accompanied by their hat-wearing, camera-toting humans. I do notice that everyone is in the shade.
The park, in the 700 block Island Highway, provides convenient parking as well as benches for contemplating the view of Quadra Island and its lighthouse as well as picnic tables. Trees offer refuge from the sun. It would also make a magnificent location for a wedding, one I’m sure guess would talk about long after the thank you cards had been mailed.
A unique feature of the seawalk is the Campbell River Hospice initiated Sally Wellman Memorial Garden, also located at Rotary Beach Park. It’s a respectful and quiet place where people can remember a loved one by planting small shrubs or flowers or placing a memorial plaque for a minimum $25 donation. Please contact the Hospice at 250-286-1121 for more information before buying plants or placing a memorial plaque. Their website is www. http://www.crhospice.org.
South of Rotary Beach Park, the roller blading is not for the faint of heart. The straight stretches allow you to gather considerable speed, an important fact that may go unnoticed if you’re enjoying the ocean view. That’s why you really should invest in knee pads and elbow pads, at the very least. Based on the Great Rollerblade Wipeout of July 2007, the concrete is hard. Really hard. But the feeling of freedom and taking joy in movement was worth the numerous, “My goodness, what did you do to your knee?”
If you walk to Willow Point, your reward is a cold drink from 7-11 and an unobstructed view of the water south, made even more spectacular at night when there are cruise ships on their way to and from Alaska.
Learn more about the local side of Rotary and its other contributions to Campbell River, visit their website at http://www.campbellriverrotary.org/.