HISTORIC MOORECROFT CAMP BECOMES A PARK
REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NANAIMO
AND THE NATURE TRUST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REACH AGREEMENT 

The Regional District of Nanaimo and The Nature Trust of British Columbia will acquire Moorecroft Camp from BC Conference of the United Church of Canada on March 2, 2011 at a cost of $4.8 million. The historic Nanoose Bay camp will now be known as Moorecroft Regional Park.

“We are fortunate that the Regional District of Nanaimo was able to secure this property and to ensure that the environmental features that made it such an ideal camp can now be protected as a Regional Park,” said RDN Chairperson Joe Stanhope at a media event earlier today.

The 85-acre oceanfront Nanoose Bay property has operated as a United Church camp for more than 50 years. The picturesque site includes close to 2,900 feet of waterfront and approximately 79 acres of natural forest featuring tree species such as Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Arbutus, Bigleaf Maple, Red Alder and Garry Oak.

“Moorecroft Camp was first identified by the RDN in its 1995 Park Master Plan as a priority site for acquisition as a regional park,” said Electoral Area E Director George Holme. “This is an important day for the RDN Board and for the community.”

The United Church accepted an offer from the RDN to purchase the land in partnership with The Nature Trust of British Columbia. As part of the purchase agreement with the RDN, The Nature Trust is launching a fundraising campaign in order to contribute up to $500,000 of the purchase price.

“Moorecroft Camp is a wonderful example of community partnership. We applaud the RDN’s leadership, we are inspired by the Nanaimo Area Land Trust’s commitment, and we are touched by the passion of the community,” said Robin Wilson, Past Chair of The Nature Trust of BC. “The Nature Trust is celebrating 40 years of conserving land throughout the province of British Columbia. I can’t think of a better way to commemorate this anniversary than by helping to save Moorecroft Camp for the enjoyment of future generations.”

The United Church listed Moorecroft Camp in September 2010 for a listing price of $7.95 million. The RDN and The Nature Trust of BC submitted a successful offer in November. As a condition of sale by the United Church, a conservation covenant has been developed with the Nature Conservancy of Canada that ensures that the natural habitat and ecosystems present in the new regional park will continue to be protected.

“We are so pleased to see this much-loved property go to the Regional District of Nanaimo to become a Regional Park,” said Doug Goodwin, Executive Secretary for BC Conference of The United Church of Canada. “Under the RDN’s care and stewardship Moorecroft will continue to provide a place of beauty and sanctuary for people to visit, for years to come.”

The RDN and The Nature Trust have already worked together to secure two regional parks. In 2003 The Nature Trust led a group of agencies and funding groups to acquire the 207 hectare Englishman River Regional Park and Conservation Area, which is managed as a regional park by the RDN through a 99 year lease. In 2008 the RDN and The Nature Trust each acquired 50 per cent ownership of the 45.7 hectare Coats Marsh Regional Park on Gabriola Island, also managed by the RDN through a 99 year lease.

In the fall of 2011, the RDN will begin the development of a long-term management plan for the Regional Park in partnership with The Nature Trust of BC and The Nature Conservancy of Canada for final approval later in 2012. In the interim, the park will be made available this spring for day use. At a later date, the RDN Recreation and Parks Department will also be providing information on child and youth summer camp outings and other program offerings at the new park. ~ submitted
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