Island Parent Pre-Summer 2023

Discover the Comox Valley
Peruse the Courtenay Museum
& Palaeontnology Centre
Find out why the Comox Valley, past and present,
is one of the most plentiful places on earth. Take
a fossil tour and travel 80 million years back in
time; browse the galleries to delve into the stories
that make our history come alive. Open Tues–Sat
from 10am–4pm. courtenaymuseum.ca
Sway on the Suspension Bridge
Elk Falls Suspension Bridge. Just a 30-minute
walk from the parking lot, the suspension bridge
gives a bird’s eye view of Elk Falls, cascading 64
metres to the canyon below. The high wire sides
mean you can relax and enjoy the view without
worrying about any climbing kids. The area is well
signed. bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/elk_falls
Surrounded by rolling mountains, lush forests
and gorgeous beaches—not to mention parks
galore!—the Comox Valley is the perfect
place for outdoor recreation activities and kicking
back. Feel like ziplining through the trees at Mt.
Washington? You can. Rather keep your feet on
the ground with a trip to a museum, fish hatchery
or aquarium? You’ve come to the right place!
Cool Off at Rotary Water Park
The water park is located at Lewis Park, next to
the Lewis Centre parking lot at 489 Old Island
Highway. Other nearby features include the outdoor
pool, wading pool and playground area at
Lewis Park. Open daily throughout the summer:
10am–7pm.
Splish at Comox Marina’s Splash Park
Splash around in the Comox Valley’s newest
splash park complete with a pirate ship. Open
between 10am and 8pm daily, throughout the
summer season. The park is a popular destination
for families taking in the warm weather while
visiting Marina Park. Nearby are food trucks, playgrounds,
washrooms and a boat launch.
Filmore Park Petting Zoo
Walk, grunt, squeak and squawk with the animals!
Hands-on Farm is Comox’s very own petting zoo
for animal lovers of all ages. Located in Filberg
Heritage Park. Open daily throughout the summer,
10am–4pm. filberg.com
See the Standing in the Gap Exhibit
Campbell River Museum’s Sybil’s Students: A
Local Legacy exhibit is a stunning example of the
comradery of the classroom and how the expertise
and mentorship of Sybil shines brightly in the
work of her students. Open daily during the summer
from 10am–5pm. crmuseum.ca
Wonder About Whales
Look up at the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph
Cove and you’ll see the 18-metre skeleton
of a fin whale hanging from the ceiling. Walk
between the jawbones of a blue whale or check
out the skull of a sperm whale with giant teeth.
Housed in an old freight shed, the interactive
museum’s goal is to increase public awareness
about whales and other local marine mammals
and the threats they face. killerwhalecentre.org
Catch a Fish
Cast a line from Discovery Pier and see what you
catch. Or pack a picnic and sit at one of the tables
on the pier for dining al fresco. There’s a concession
stand nearby that sells ice cream and rents
fishing rods in the summer.
campbellriver.travel/attractions/discovery-pier
Zip-pidy Do Da
Unfold your wings and fly on Mt. Washington’s
“Eagle’s Flight” ZipTour. This dual-line, four-span
zip line offers an adrenaline-filled and scenic
adventure down the terrain of the Mt. Washington
Alpine Resort. The total tour length is 1.44-milelong
with a vertical drop of 1,364 feet! Or skip the
zip and take a chairlift ride to the summit to see
breathtaking mountain and ocean views.
Open weekends, book in advance at
mountwashington.ca.
Go Go-Carting
The Saratoga Speedway provides family-friendly
entertainment and activities. Get a ride in a monster
truck, race a go-cart or watch the action at a
Crash to Pass race featuring everything from travel
trailers to boats! For a current racing, schedule
visit saratogaracing.ca.
Discover Local Marine Species
The Discovery Passage Aquarium features local
marine species and habitats from the Discovery
Passage. The Aquarium offers education and fun
hands-on experiences that are suitable for all
ages. With a focus on conservation and education,
the Aquarium will re-open this summer with
the species that are collected in the spring being
released in the fall.
Make a Quick Stop at the Quinsam
As one of Canada’s largest salmon rearing facilities,
the Quinsam River Hatchery plays a vital role
in restoring natural spawning runs to the Campbell
and Quinsam Rivers during the fall. Check
out the fish floor inside the hatchery’s interpretive
centre, a glass floor covering a re-creation of the
nearby rivers with salmon, trout and other native
aquatic species. Check for re-opening and hours.
pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sep-pmvs/hatcheriesecloseries/quinsam-eng.html
Celebrate the Return
of Islands Folk Festival
Islands Folk Festival resumes live performances
at Providence Farm in Duncan on July 21–23.
With on-site camping, a “Wee Folks” kid zone,
shuttle service, beverage garden and food and
craft vendors, this family-friendly event will feature
great music and performers, craft vendors
and family fun. For a full list of performers visit
islandsfolkfestival.ca.
28 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca