Prioritizing sustainable stormwater management infrastructure in Parksville’s coastal Community Park

The City of Parksville will conduct a study on prioritizing the integration of low impact development (LID) stormwater management infrastructure into both existing and planned recreational facilities at Parksville Community Park. The city will use this study to articulate a stormwater management strategy that will support the 25-year vision expressed in its 2018 Community Park Master Plan (CPMP), expanding the park’s future facilities while maximizing the functionality of its existing facilities. The study will include rainfall and sea level long-term projections, which will be taken into consideration when designing the LID stormwater management facilities in order to maximize park infrastructure’s resiliency to climate change. The projected environmental benefits are to reduce total suspended solids (TSS) from stormwater runoff by at least 80% and prevent other pollutants from entering the ocean; to harvest stormwater for reuse; and to mitigate inundation of the stormwater system by sea water. Social and economic benefits include expanding the lifespan of the park’s infrastructure under climate change impacts, reducing capital expenditures on infrastructure, and enhancing public space and facilities. The study will include mapping the locations, size and condition of current infrastructure; establishing current and future stormwater management facilities (SWMF) needs by monitoring and modelling; developing SWMF design criteria; developing the conceptual design for the SWMF; and completing financial assessments for the lifecycle of the facilities. The project will be carried out in partnership with local Coast Salish First Nations. As well as aligning with Parksville’s 2018 CPMP, this study aligns with the city’s 2018 Official Community Plan. Innovative aspect(s): The consideration of LID facilities within coastal areas where sea levels are expected to rise could be a first of its kind. This project may also demonstrate how to improve the water quality of discharge along shorelines while showing general innovation in coastal stormwater management. Replicability: Many other Canadian communities are located along this extended area of shoreline. This study’s findings could help them better plan stormwater management for their own coastal infrastructure and increase their resiliency to rising sea levels. (Project description from original funding application)