Each year, on the last Sunday of September, people come together to celebrate our many magnificent rivers all over the world.
Here in the Comox Valley this includes the Tsolum River.
This year the Tsolum River Restoration Society will offer several ways to celebrate:
A river walk in Tsolum Sprit Park
We will meet at the Regional District’s Tsolum Spirit Park at 10 a.m. for a short walk from the parking area to the confluence of Dove Creek and the Tsolum River. While we are there we will hear about one of the great patrons of the Tsolum and visit the memorial bench placed here in his name. (Approximately 10 to 20 minutes – easy)
A walk to the historic Headquarters Townsite
This is a longer walk from Tsolum Spirit Park parking area to the old Headquarters Townsite, which is a new regional park donated to the CVRD by TimberWest Forest Corp. We will be offering this walk twice on Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. We will see coho fry in the river and there may be returning adult pink salmon to watch! (Approximately 1.5 hours return to Tsolum Spirit Park - vigorous).
A statue of a spawning salmon being presented to the CVRD
At 2 p.m. at the regional fairgrounds, home to Vancouver Island MusicFest, the weekly Farmers' Market and many other events year round, a large statue will be dedicated in celebration of the forested zone that protects the river from intense public use. Elected officials will be on hand to accept the dedication on behalf of all Comox Valley residents and visitors.
You will be able to do all three activities.
Directions to Tsolum Sprit Park
From Cumberland, Comox and Courtenay: Head to the corner of the Old Island Highway and Headquarters Road (just past Canadian Tire and the Finneron Hyundai dealership). Head north along Headquarters Road past the regional fairgrounds, (the site of the statue dedication at 2 p.m.) and travel approximately 5.5 kilometres until you arrive at Tsolum River Road on your left. Turn left and stay on Tsolum River Road until you come to Tsolum Sprit Park. The parking area is well marked.
The TRRS is a registered non-profit society and charity formed to restore the Tsolum River watershed. Badly damaged by early historical logging, an abandoned copper mine and draining of wetland habitat, the Tsolum is on the mend. The TRRS works in partnership with all stakeholders and is experiencing some great outcomes.
Check out the website at www.tsolumriver.org or call 250-897-4670.
— Tsolum River Restoration Society