Infrastructure work in the national park reserve

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

What to know before you visit

Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion over five years into infrastructure improvements to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada.

In Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, a number of exciting projects are underway, including the creation of a new multi-use path announced as part the Government of Canada’s Budget 2016. While these projects may cause some inconvenience to visitors, and sometimes look pretty unsightly, the work is very important and will help visitors enjoy and explore the national park reserve for many more years to come. We appreciate the patience of visitors and the local communities while we work on these projects.

Projects in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: 

Grice Bay and Mclean Point Remediation Project

Starting June 6, general public access to Grice Bay Road, parking lot and boat ramp will be closed for the summer season while contractors remove contaminated soil and restore these areas. An alternative boat launch is available in Tofino at the 4th Street boat launch (fees apply). We will contact residents and stakeholders directly regarding arrangements for essential access.

The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) was established in 2005 as a 15-year program with funding of $4.54 billion from the Government of Canada. The program was renewed for another 15 years (2020 to 2034) with $1.16 billion announced in Budget 2019 for the first five years (Phase IV, 2020 to 2024).
The objective of FCSAP is to reduce environmental and human health risks from known federal contaminated sites and associated federal financial liabilities, while focusing on the highest priority sites. 

The scope of the project at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve includes removing old underground fuel reservoirs and areas of contaminated soil at McLean Pt and Grice Bay, resurfacing the Grice Bay parking lot, and replacing a section of the Grice Bay boat ramp.

Parks Canada apologizes for any inconvenience during construction and appreciates your patience and support while we complete this remediation work. 

Kwisitis Visitor Centre – infrastructure upgrades

The Kwisitis Visitor Centre is a recognized Federal Heritage Building, and is the national park reserve’s signature building and primary visitor centre.

In 2020, Parks Canada completed work to restore the building exterior and began repairs to interior spaces that have sustained water damage. This work will ensure that the building can better withstand the elements of the West Coast and continue to serve as a place of wonder for visitors in the years ahead.

In 2021, work continues to restore the building basement, fire suppression system, and restaurant area.

What does this mean for visitors?

Schooner Cove Trail – Closed for improvements

The Schooner Cove Trail and parking lot in the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is closed to ensure the safety of visitors until further notice. Parks Canada trail crew assessed the trail area and discovered that both the boardwalk and several bridges require significant repairs, after sustaining considerable damage from over 100 trees that fell during winter storms in 2018. Parks Canada is working closely with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations on the future of this area 

Check storm advisories, warnings and closures in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve before you visit.

To stay updated on infrastructure work in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, follow us on Facebook or on Twitter, or call 250-726-3500.

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