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MILL CREEK NATURE PARK
MASTER PLAN
March 2023
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Town of Riverview Land
Acknowledgment Statement
We would like to acknowledge that the
Town is located within the traditional,
unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq Peoples.
This territory is covered by the "Treaties of
Peace and Friendship," which the Indigenous
Peoples first signed with the British crown
in 1725. The treaties did not deal with
the surrender of lands and resources but
recognized the Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik
titles and established the rules for what
was to be an ongoing relationship between
nations. We affirm our commitment and
responsibility to improving relationships
between nations and to improving our own
understanding of local Indigenous Peoples
and their cultures.
Mill Creek Nature Park Master
Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks to all those who contributed
to the development of this master plan,
including residents for their participation in
intercept interviews, focus group meetings,
community workshops and open house
sessions; students from Riverview East,
Riverview Middle and Riverview High
Schools for their participation in school
workshops; and the Friends of Mill Creek
Nature Park Committee, Town Staff and
Town Council for their valuable feedback,
insights, passion, and dedication to the park.
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Contents
1.0 MILL CREEK NATURE PARK MASTER PLAN.......................01
1.1 CONTEXT.......................................................................01
1.2 THE CONTEMPORARY MILL CREEK NATURE PARK.......03
1.3 RECREATION AND NATURE PARKS...............................04
1.4 PREVIOUS WORKS.........................................................11
1.5 BIG IDEAS FROM PREVIOUS STUDIES...........................17
2.0 CONSULTATIONS AND MASTER PLAN CONCEPTS.............19
2.1 CONSULTATION PROCESS AND STRATEGY...................19
2.2 BIG STATEMENTS FOR MILL CREEK NATURE PARK......21
3.0 STRATEGIC VISION AND DIRECTIONS..............................23
3.1 SUSTAINABLE PLATFORM.............................................25
3.2 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.......................................27
3.3 USER EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS............................30
3.4 EVOLVING MILL CREEK NATURE PARK..........................35
4.0 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.................................................39
4.1 STRATEGY AND ROADMAP............................................39
4.2 STABILIZATION PROJECTS...........................................42
4.3 POSITIONING PROJECTS.............................................54
4.4 EVOLUTIONARY PROJECTS..........................................58
4.5 IMPLEMENTATION POLICY...............................................61
ENDNOTES.............................................................................62
APPENDIX A | CONSULTATION SUMMARY.................................67
CONSULTATION SESSIONS....................................................67
PUBLIC SURVEY RESULTS......................................................71
96 BIG IDEAS FOR MILL CREEK NATURE PARK......................72
APPENDIX B | LAND HOLDINGS BRIEF.....................................77
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan |
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1.0 Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
1.1 Context
Mill Creek Nature Park is a flourishing 330-acre (134 hectares) nature
park located in the Town of Riverview (see Figure 1 for location).
Riverview residents have embraced Mill Creek Nature Park as a
year-round destination to be active, socialize, relax, and connect
with nature. The park serves the 20,654 residents of Riverview, with
residents from the surrounding communities of Moncton and Dieppe
also visiting the park on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
The Mill Creek facility is a park imagined and proposed to Riverview's
town council as a natural refuge from daily life by Daniel DeLong
(then a student at Riverview High School). Mr. DeLong understood
that the Town of Riverview was a rapidly growing municipality
that lacked a formalized large passive park space where residents
could walk and enjoy an authentic and conserved natural
experience. Thus, in 2011, under the guidance of Riverview High
School environmental science teacher Pamela Fowler, Mr. DeLong
completed and presented a term project to town council. The
councillors were highly impressed by the work and proceeded to
enhance the proposed site from a cross-country ski facility to a
regional nature park.
A Town-commissioned 2013 Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan laid
the foundational groundwork for today's nature park. The master
plan expanded Mr. DeLong's work by making a series of statements
defining the role of the park, a series of conservation strategies that
ensure protection from intense adjacent residential and commercial
development, and a series of projects that expand the role of passive
park enjoyment within the context of the active ski trails.
The Town of Riverview commissioned this document, the 2023 Mill
Creek Nature Park Master Plan, to evaluate facility development in
regards to the 2013 plan, to update park infrastructure relative to
existing, contemporary and emerging park activity, and to propose a
modified series of sustainability initiatives relative to this activity, and
relative to the long-term health of the park's natural environment.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
Figure 1 | MILL CREEK NATURE PARK LOCATION
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Introduction | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
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1.2 The Contemporary Mill Creek Nature Park
Figure 1 illustrates the regional and municipal location of the
nature park. The figure also locates existing site conditions and
characteristics relative to assets such as the multi-use and single-
track trail systems, the existing dam and bridges, important wetland
areas within the park and adjacent town-owned land, primary
park gateways, and the location of a proposed Town of Riverview
Recreation Complex (pool, field house, community gathering
spaces). This master plan proposes sustainability, positioning and
growth strategies for the nature park within the context of a growing
town, region and province. Additionally, this master plan considers
the placement of the nature park within the context of the Fundy
region's growing active and passive nature-based destinations, such
as the Fundy Parkway, Hopewell Rocks, Fundy National Park, and
the White Rock Recreation Area trails in Hillsborough.
The contemporary nature park is a sustained landscape that
provides a natural experience for active and passive recreation,
while hosting forest and ground cover, and a watercourse that
provides valuable air and water quality control habitat for the
expanding adjacent urban environments. Thus, Mill Creek Nature
Park's ecological setting must be evaluated and understood to define
a conservation strategy that ensures habitat sustainability and
resilience within the context of an evolving cultural setting.
At its core, relative to sustainability and resilience, the contemporary
nature park seeks to provide a venue and experience within the
following context.
INTACT ECOLOGIES. Forests are strongest when they are diverse,
stratified and ecologically connected within the park and to
important adjacent natural assets. Ecologies are evaluated through
the lens of aquatic and terrestrial, and the transition between the
two (the riparian area). High-quality ecological areas should be
connected to provide a venue for wildlife movement and be well-
buffered from the urban environment.
IMMERSION IN NATURE. Residents feel immersed in nature when
a park is provided in distinct contrast to the urban environment.
This immersion ensures an experience founded in a multi-sensory
connection to the natural environment. This requires a high-quality
ecological environment that is best suited to large parks.
WILDERNESS RECREATION. Biking, walking, skiing, running,
birdwatching, photography, etc. are provided with limited
infrastructure. The impacts of recreation must be stabilized through
careful trail and land use planning that ensures minimal impact on
important ecologies.
This master plan must propose a park evolution model that
sustains the Mill Creek Nature Park as a place where ecology, nature
immersion and recreation co-exist. The existing park size and shape
are ignored and re-established based on these contemporary nature
park components.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
1.3 Recreation and Nature Parks
Nature parks contribute to community identity, provide active and
passive recreational opportunities, appeal to all ages, contribute
to the health and wellness of a community, and create valuable
green space.1 Unlike neighbourhood parks, nature parks serve large
geographic areas with the aim of providing recreation to those
seeking an escape from urban settings.
The benefits of nature parks include improving mental health,
reducing stress, providing a connection to nature, and increasing
social interactions, and to serving as venues for community events,
activities, and public health programs. Urban nature parks provide
natural infrastructure solutions that improve the environment,
reduce flooding, and protect human health and property loss by
deterring development in areas prone to events like mudslides,
wildfires and flooding.2
Parks are essential components that support combating some of
the most complex challenges in society--poor nutrition, hunger,
obesity, and physical inactivity.3 The Framework for Recreation
in Canada 2015 states that "the fields of physical activity, sport,
recreation, parks, the environment and health all share a common
mandate to enhance the well-being of individuals, communities and
the environment." Thus, there is a clear need to coordinate these
strategies and frameworks, and to collaborate on specific actions
and initiatives.4
Following lockdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic, park visits
increased by 63%.5 While the growing interest in more contact with
nature is positive, Peter H. Kahn, a professor of psychology at the
University of Washington, reflects concern that it is also overly reliant
on experiencing it visually. He affirms, "we need to deepen the forms
of interaction with nature and make it more immersive."6 This need
makes parks and outdoor recreation important tools for helping
people get the most benefits out of their interactions with nature.
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Introduction | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
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Health Benefits
The presence of nature parks and green space support good health
for people of all abilities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and
ethnicities.7 The presence of parks and proximity to parks can
positively impact physical health, mental health, social interaction
and safety/injury prevention.8
Relative to mental well-being, trees and greener environments are
strongly linked to reduced negative thoughts, reduced symptoms of
depression, better-reported moods, and increased life satisfaction.9
And while most research to date has been focused on green spaces
such as parks and forests, there is emerging research that blue
spaces-places with views of bodies of water-offer the same
health benefits.10
Studies have shown that time in nature--as long as people feel
safe--is an antidote for stress.11 It can lower blood pressure and
stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance
immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and
improve mood.12
Even for people unable to engage with nature, nature can still have
a positive impact. A study which looked at the recovery of surgical
patients in a Pennsylvania hospital found that patients offered
views of trees had shorter hospitalizations, less need for painkillers,
and fewer negative comments in the nurses' notes compared to
patients with views of brick walls.13 Similar findings were found in
a study in which students who looked out at a flowering green roof
for 40 seconds midway through a dull attention-draining task made
significantly fewer mistakes than those who paused for 40 seconds
to gaze at a concrete rooftop.14 Additionally, residents in housing
projects with views of trees or grass experience reduced mental
fatigue and reported that they are better able to cope with
life's problems.15
Relative to physical well-being, study after study shows that when
people can not reach parks, they often go without exercise; this is
especially true for lower-income families.16 But studies have shown
that where people have access to parks, they exercise more.17A large-
scale Cleveland Metro parks study of older park visitors found that
two-thirds of them were highly or moderately active while
in the parks.18
A study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that
easy access to a place to exercise results in a 5.1% median increase
in aerobic capacity, along with weight loss, a reduction in body fat,
improvements in flexibility, and an increase in perceived energy.19
In a Cost-Benefit Analysis of Physical Activity Using Bike/Pedestrian
Trails, it was estimated that for each dollar spent on building,
maintaining, and using trails, nearly three dollars were realized in
reduced health care costs by the trail users due to improvements in
their health.20
Green spaces are also important for reducing the harmful effects of
ultraviolet radiation. Ultimately, tree leaves can absorb around 95%
of ultraviolet radiation, though using tree shade as protection from
UV is not intuitively obvious.21 Given that most skin cancers result
from UV rays in sunlight, having access to shaded outdoor spaces
where people can receive the benefits of being in nature while also
minimizing their sun exposure is highly advantageous.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
Environmental Benefits
While nature parks are beneficial to humans, they are also beneficial
to native plants and animals.22 Parks offer many environmental
benefits, such as safeguarding greenspace, mitigating environmental
distress, reducing air pollution, and fostering respect for nature.
By establishing parks and greenspace, land is protected from
rigorous development. This aids in wildlife conservation and
helps to sustain natural ecosystems. In fact, greenways not only
protect habitat but provide corridors for both people and wildlife.23
Additionally, when nature parks offer a safe space for wildlife, more
wildlife will flourish, and as a result, more people will visit the park
to engage in animal spotting and birdwatching, thus contributing to
overall respect and appreciation for the natural environment.24
Additionally, nature parks and greenways are essential in mitigating
potential environmental disasters such as flooding and aquifer
depletion.25 Many environmental studies have shown that greenways
and natural areas which contain trail systems offer valuable water
quality benefits.26 For example, by protecting land along rivers and
streams, greenways prevent soil erosion and filter pollution caused
by agricultural and road runoff.27
An increasingly important feature of greenspace is its role in reducing
air temperatures. Parks generally, and nature parks specifically,
have significantly lower air temperatures than surrounding areas,
and their cool air often moves out to adjacent neighbourhoods.
The cooling of surrounding areas tends to increase with park size
and the percentage of the park covered by trees.28 By reducing air
temperatures, parks reduce building energy consumption in and
around parks.29
Additionally, trees and vegetation in parks directly remove
pollutants.30 Large trees greater than 76 cm in trunk diameter store
approximately 800 to 900 times more carbon than small trees less
than 8 cm in diameter. Large healthy trees also remove about 50
times more carbon annually than small healthy trees.31 This is why
parks with forest-like conditions are critical because, in addition to
having large and developed trees, parks with forest-like conditions
can enhance carbon storage through time because net carbon can be
accumulated in the soil along with the carbon retained in the trees.32
While each acre of trees stores 40 tons of CO2, the same area of soil
holds 32 tons.33 In one year, one acre of tree cover in a park will likely
have pollution removal totals of around 80 pounds per year, but the
total could exceed 200 pounds per year in more polluted areas with
long growing seasons.34
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Fossil fuel pollution is not the only pollution parks and trails help
to reduce; they also help reduce light and noise pollution.35 Light
pollution is a global issue that has consequences for both humans
and animals as artificial light wreaks havoc on natural body rhythms,
and nocturnal light confuses the circadian rhythm that affects
physiological processes in nearly all living organisms.36 Studies show
that light pollution is impacting animal behaviours such as migration
patterns and habitat formation.37 The same is true of noise pollution,
which impacts animals' communication, mating, navigation,
and foraging.38 One of the best ways to help with noise control
is dense, native vegetation that extends down to the ground.39 A
combination of evergreen trees and shrubs can provide year-round
soundproofing.40 Thus parks and greenways can offer safe harbours
where wildlife may avoid these consequences.
Economic Benefits
Parks offer significant economic benefits for communities. According
to a 2016 American study, public parks were responsible for $200
billion in annual economic activity, making parks one of the main
drivers of economic growth.41 They increase property value and
contribute to ecotourism, and recent data found that park and
recreation contributions to the economy held stout in the face of the
COVID-19 pandemic.42
One of the ways in which parks and greenspace benefit the economy
is by making communities more attractive places to live. A study
in Washington State reported that homes within half a mile from a
natural area or park had values 8-20% higher than those not near
green spaces.43 And it's been found that greenbelts next to residential
communities increase the prices people will pay for homes by 32%.44
In particular, trails highly impact property values as communities
recognize them as safe places to be active, healthy and community
oriented.45 So much so that, when considering where to move, home
buyers rank walking and biking paths as one of the most important
features of a new community.46
This mentality is also evident in business location and relocation
decisions. Companies often choose to locate in communities that
offer a high level of amenities to employees as a means of attracting
and retaining top-level workers.47 Trails and greenways can make
communities attractive to businesses looking to expand or relocate
both because of the amenities they offer employees and the
opportunities they offer to cater to trail visitors.48
Another economic benefit of parks and greenways is ecotourism.49
According to research conducted by Tourism BC in 2009, 25 - 30%
of all travellers from North America who participate in either hiking
or biking chose their destination specifically for these types of
recreation.50 Additionally, conserving wildlife in parks also draws
tourists who wish to spot unique and local wildlife.51 By investing in
parks and greenspace, communities have the opportunity to boost
their local tourism.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
Youth Benefits
One of the most impactful benefits of parks and nature is its impact
on children and youth. Research shows that children who spend
time outside have better test scores, better cognitive function, fewer
behavioural problems, fewer signs of ADHD, and improved self-
discipline.52 In fact, doctors now prescribe time outdoors for some
patients as part of a push by the National Recreation and
Park Association.53
Not only do parks enhance children's multi-sensory experiences,54
they are essential in promoting well-rounded cognitive, social,
and physical development. Much of children and youth's lives are
structured and supervised; outdoor play gives them freedom and
independence to interact socially, make their own decisions,
as well as learn to play independently.55 This absence of structure
is invaluable for the development of important executive
function skills, such as planning, prioritizing, troubleshooting,
and negotiating.56
The benefits of the outdoors can also be witnessed within the
structured areas of children's lives, such as school. Research
has found that educational facilities that adopted environment-
based education as the central focus of their academic programs
showed improvement in reading and mathematics scores, better
performance in science and social studies, declines in classroom
discipline problems, as well as high-level learning opportunities
equalized among students.57
Additionally, playing freely on a playground helps children develop
athletic abilities without the pressure of organized sports.58 Common
and invented games with other children can increase agility, develop
fine and gross motor skills, improve balance and coordination, as
well as prevent and combat obesity.59 When children are allowed to
take risks and choose their own play outdoors, they gain confidence,
resilience to overcome challenges, and skills to manage risks
for themselves.60
Outdoor play also offers inclusive spaces for children of all ages
and abilities. In particular, parks are noteable spaces for children
to practice inclusive play. Since outdoor play occurs within a more
diverse environment, kids socialize with different children than
they see every day in their classroom.61 Additionally, a study from
the University of Nebraska Lincoln showed that preschool children
who interacted more frequently with children with disabilities had
a more positive attitude toward all people with disabilities.62 Thus,
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Introduction | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
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establishing a safe and accessible space where this interaction can
be facilitated is one of the key benefits parks offer for children.
Moreover, with recess at schools averaging 10 to 35 minutes a
day,63 community outdoor play spaces increase the opportunities
for children to expand their time outdoors as well as their physical
activity levels. When children are outdoors, they move more, sit
less, and play longer.64 Not only is the presence of these spaces for
outdoor recreation important for children, but so is the ease at which
youth can access them. An American study examined the correlation
between physical activity in adolescent girls and proximity to parks
and schools and found the girls who live closer participate in more
physical activity than those who do not.65 Additionally, given outdoor
play serves as a gateway to other recreation, parks and greenspaces
are key factors that contribute to children's development of lifelong
healthy habits.
Community Benefits
Parks and greenspaces benefit communities by strengthening
connections, stimulating participation in community life, fostering
community pride, and contributing to community identity.
One of the ways this is achieved is by strengthening community
development. The accomplishment of creating a new park
contributes to people's sense of involvement in the community and
their belief that they can effect change.66 This sense of unity, in turn,
helps to foster stable neighbourhoods with strong social ties and
community involvement.67
It has been shown that adults who use parks, recreation and
cultural facilities and participate in recreation programs are more
willing to volunteer than those who do not use these services.68
Therefore, having accessible places for recreation is an essential tool
to promote community involvement and foster a desire to actively
contribute to the community.
Outdoor recreation specifically has the added benefit of potentially
improving social relations. A Canadian study from Carleton
University found that nature may make us nicer and more prosocial.
The study found that elementary school children acted more
prosocially to classmates as well as strangers following a field trip to
a nature school than they did after a visit to an aviation museum.69
This positive impact of nature on social relationships goes beyond
just improving them and can, in fact, help to reduce crime and
aggression.70 A study published by Netta Weinstein et al. found
that contact with nature appeared to have a significant effect on
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
promoting community ties and reducing violence.71 The study
measured the relationships between individual and community
assessments of exposure to nature, community cohesion and crime
rates. The analysis revealed that the amount of accessible green
spaces or farmlands in a community accounted for 4 percent of
the variability in crime rates. This makes exposure to nature nearly
as large of a factor in crime as socioeconomic deprivation, which
accounts for 5 percent of crime rate variability.72
Parks can benefit the community by providing an established,
maintained, protected outdoor public space. More often than not,
disorderly environments send the message that no one values
the property or will challenge crimes against it, which increases
residents' general fear, weakens community controls, and invites
criminal behaviour.73 One of the best ways to address this is through
trail networks. Because of their linear design, trails act as meeting
places for communities. As a result, trails promote family unity as
well as strengthen friendships and neighbour relations.74 A well-
managed trail can also serve as a focal point for a community for
special events or serve as a gathering place, both of which can lead
to greater interaction between residents and improve the cohesion
of a community.75
Trails also benefit the community by helping to secure lands to
protect in perpetuity.76 They can preserve culturally and historically
valuable areas77 and increase the value of open space to the public by
providing access.78 Furthermore, trails offer an inclusive opportunity
for users of all ages to learn more about nature, culture or history
by providing firsthand experiences that educate users about the
importance of the natural environment and respect for nature.79
Given hiking and walking trails are affordable forms of recreation,80
investing in trails is also an investment in community equity. In
addition to providing affordable opportunities for recreation, new
trails can also help to dismantle the unequal distribution of trees
and green spaces among communities with varying demographics
such as income and race.81 Although access to public green spaces,
including parks, nature preserves, forests, and community gardens,
varies across racial and economic lines,82 establishing and promoting
inclusive trail networks, both within and to community parks, serves
as an indispensable tool for communities to actively combat inequity
and contribute to a community identity that reflects and supports
everyone who is a part of it.
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1.4 Previous Works
The Mill Creek Master Plan is founded in a review of the following
previously completed plans, studies, and other relevant strategic
documents for relevant recreation context and lessons learned:
»
Mill Creek Nature Park Development Master Plan (2013)
»
Regional Sustainable Transportation Master Plan (2015)
»
Creating a Regional Nature Park: A Case Study on Community
Engagement in Developing the Mill Creek Nature Park in the
Town of Riverview, New Brunswick (2017)
»
Riverview Recreation Complex Town of Riverview: Functional
and Technical Program Report (2020)
»
Cohort 2 National Project Summary Report (2020)
»
Planning Considerations in the Mill Creek Area (2021)
»
Mill Creek Singletrack Trail System Vision (2021)
»
Mill Creek Nature Park Trails Proposal (Draft)
»
Mill Creek Nature Park Conservation Strategy (Draft)
»
Municipal Natural Asset Initiative Report
Mill Creek Nature Park Development Master Plan
The Mill Creek Nature Park Development Master Plan was released in
2013. The Plan proposes mixed-use development of the park within
the context of nature and recreation and identifies the developmental
themes of nature, play, and sport. The Master Plan's main focus is
the north side of the core park boundary and within the boundary
itself. It outlines key projects, trail projects, park amenities, an
implementation theory and strategy, and a project budget.
Regional Sustainable Transportation Master Plan
This document, published in 2015, includes a technical report
and numerous technical appendices. The Regional Sustainable
Transportation Master Plan serves to guide the development of
a multi-modal transportation network to meet the needs of the
Tri-Community of the City of Moncton, the City of Dieppe, and the
Town of Riverview until 2040. The plan aims to promote sustainable
development, protect the natural environment, promote economic
vitality and healthy communities, and provide safe, affordable
and efficient transportation for people and goods. Some of the
priorities and actions mentioned in the Plan include developing
well-connected trail and cycling networks, enhancing pedestrian
circulation and walkability, and enhancing the safety of active
transportation networks.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
Creating a Regional Nature Park: A Case Study on
Community Engagement in Developing the Mill Creek
Nature Park in the Town of Riverview, NB
This paper was published in 2017 and explores the development
and management of Mill Creek Nature Park. It identifies the park's
unique features and history and provides a timeline of the Mill
Creek Site and its development process. It investigates the park
through the themes of inception, consultation, and materialization,
and highlights how the park may serve as a template for other
municipalities looking to develop their own parks of similar size and
scope. The study praises the community-led planning attached to
Mill Creek and attributes the early success of the park to consultation
with the general community, local stakeholders, and future park
users in the early design phase.
Mill Creek Singletrack Trail System Vision
Published in November of 2021, this document details a vision for
new singletrack trails in Mill Creek Nature Park. It recommends
building trails for all ability levels, incorporating a range of trail
styles to diversify the site, and catering to multiple trail users such
as hikers and mountain bikers in the summer and fat biking and
snowshoeing in the winter. The report breaks down eight new trail
segment concepts and proposes a trail difficulty rating system. It also
suggests incorporating Technical Trail Features near trailheads and
key gathering points within the trail system. A budget and trail build
phasing is also included.
Riverview Recreation Complex Town of Riverview:
Functional and Technical Program Report
Published in 2020, this document outlines the plans for a multi-
use Wellness Centre Complex in Riverview. The complex would
include a competition-size swimming pool, a field house, a walking
track and community space, as well as parking and exterior spaces.
The document provides background information on the Town of
Riverview, its demographics and population, facilities inventory,
and user groups. The report references the 2013 Mill Creek Master
Plan and asserts that the Town has identified an area within Mill
Creek Nature Park as the preferred site for the Recreation Complex.
It goes on to break down the Functional Program and Technical
Program extensively.
Mill Creek Nature Park Trails Proposal (Draft)
This document aims to identify opportunities for new trails and
improve the park map, as well as identify linkages to trails and
neighbourhoods outside of the park. It identifies the existing Winter
and Summer trails and highlights thesis trail types identified in
the Master Plan. It also explains the park's conservation strategy
use of zones to inform what types of development are appropriate
in different areas of the park. The document proposes several
new trails with name suggestions, all of which follow existing trail
footprints and are intended for summer walking but may also be
used for cycling, snowshoeing and fat biking.
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Introduction | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
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Mill Creek Nature Park
Conservation Strategy (Draft)
This document highlights a proposed policy to protect the
habitat, diversity of life, and ecosystems within the boundaries
of Mill Creek Nature Park with the aim of conserving it for future
generations. Three zones have been delineated within the park
to help guide the management, development and conservation
priorities of the park. Zone 1 is the highest level of protection, Zone
2 is under moderate protection, and Zone 3 is the least restricted.
The report also offers guidelines for park usage within the zones
mentioned above and the protocols for individuals wishing to
conduct research within the park.
Planning Considerations in the Mill Creek Area
This document was prepared in 2021. It offers an overview of the
Municipal Natural Assets Initiative's Mill Creek Study, the current
Municipal Plan and Zoning, and highlights key changes that should
be considered when moving forward with the planning of Mill Creek.
Municipal Natural Asset Initiative Report
The following summary is provided in the above-noted report.
The Municipal Natural Asset Initiative (MNAI) project was initiated by
Southeast Regional Service Commission (SERSC) in partnership with
the Town of Riverview to increase their understanding of how proper
management of the natural assets within the community contributes
to improved stormwater management. The focus of the project was
a large development area proposed within the Mill Creek Watershed
that is being designed adjacent to a nature park. The community
wants to explore development that protects and enhances natural
assets while incorporating planned recreational, institutional,
commercial, and residential development.
This project included the development of a natural asset inventory,
condition assessment, stormwater modelling, economic assessment
and initial planning considerations. The findings demonstrate that
the wetlands and surrounding natural areas within the Mill Creek
watershed provide valuable storage capacity that, if lost, will result
in increased costs to taxpayers to meet the regulatory requirements
of the stormwater design criteria. The costs increase further when
future climate conditions are factored in.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
Modelling was completed for four wetlands to assess the volume
and peak flow reduction for 5-year storm events and 100-year storm
events. The model was run under current development conditions
as well as with the proposed development and with and without
climate change. Project results indicate that the existing wetlands
are currently attenuating nearly 19,000 m3 of total flow over 24
hours. Under future climate change conditions, the wetlands
contribute an additional 284 m3 of flow attenuation over a 24-hour
period. Peak flows were also analyzed through the modelling, which
found that the larger wetlands in the sub-catchment that drains
below the Mill Creek Dam currently attenuate about 4.5% of peak
flows, or 3.4% of peak flows under future climate change conditions.
The smaller wetland in the sub-catchment near the Operation Centre
was found to be at its capacity to attenuate peak flows during a 100-
year storm event.
Modelling also confirmed the importance of forest cover in reducing
stormwater runoff. When comparing current development scenarios
with the proposed development scenarios, the findings reveal that
roughly 33,000 - 34,000 m3 of runoff is controlled by the existing
vegetation. Less effective on a per area basis than wetlands, forests
also provide a valuable contribution to stormwater control services.
The replacement cost method was used to estimate the value
of Mill Creek's natural assets, specifically the 4 wetlands in the
project area. The cost of replacing the Mill Creek wetlands with
stormwater management ponds or constructed wetlands to provide
an equivalent detention function for stormwater was based on
the required storage volume and costs to design and construct a
stormwater detention pond with landscaping and environmental
components. This was then compared to existing stormwater design
criteria, which requires that post-development peak flows do not
exceed those of pre-development.
The monetary value of stormwater services provided by the wetlands
for a 5-year return period precipitation event was estimated at
roughly $1.07 million under current climate conditions. Factoring in
future development, increases the estimated cost to $2.30 million
and under assumed future climate conditions, the costs increase
even further to $2.41 million. The same pattern exists for the 100-
year precipitation event. That is, the estimated value of stormwater
services provided by the wetlands for a 100-year return period
precipitation event was estimated at roughly $1.40 million under
current climate. Factoring in future development, increases the
estimated cost to $2.30 million and under assumed future climate
conditions, the costs increase even further to $2.73 million. The
figures above exclude land purchases. Neither do the values include
a range of co-benefits including improvements to water quality,
provision of wildlife and aquatic habitat, health and recreational
benefits, transportation benefits, safety and social benefits,
educational benefits, promotion of environmental sustainability and
economic benefits.
14
Introduction | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
15
Annual monitoring, operating and maintenance expenditures
for both natural assets and an engineered alternative were
approximated for this project. Three scenarios representing
different options for the Mill Creek project area were considered.
The first scenario assumed development is done in a way that
avoids damaging existing wetlands and factors in the construction
of some engineered stormwater infrastructure to offset the net
peak flow impact from development. The second scenario assumed
the existing wetlands could be enhanced to achieve the required
peak flow offset from development. The final scenario assumed
development damages wetland to the point where their stormwater
function is eliminated, resulting in the need for a fully engineered
replacement to control stormwater flows. Life cycle costs (capital
+ operating and maintenance expenditure over 100-year planning
horizon) for scenarios were considered for both current and future
climate conditions. Under current climate conditions, the existence
of wetlands offsets the present value of lifecycle costs by $1.17
million. These reduced costs are slightly higher under projected
future climate conditions with a present value of $1.19 million in
avoided costs.
Currently, no operation and management plans have been
developed for the wetlands, however a web-based tool has
been created to view the natural asset inventory and condition
assessment alongside engineered assets. The tool and the modelling
work completed for this project helps build a case for actively
managing these wetlands to ensure they continue to provide
services indefinitely. By doing so, the Town of Riverview can avoid
the capital cost of building engineered alternatives while improving
data accessibility for on-going decision-making.
Figure 2, next page, illustrates the location of the reviewed wetlands
within the context of Mill Creek Nature Park.
15
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
Figure 2 | MILL CREEK NATURE PARK REVIEWED WETLANDS
(FROM MUNICIPAL NATURAL ASSET INITIATIVE REPORT | SERSC)
16
Introduction | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
17
1.5 Big ideas from previous studies
From the review of previous studies, three key themes
of protection, community, and sustainability emerge.
Protection of the park's natural assets, heritage, wildlife,
and ecology are all important desires to keep in mind
moving forward. The theme of community emerges
through the community-led planning processes, the
aim to establish a recreational hub, and the desire to
serve the community presently and for generations to
come. The theme of sustainability refers to the previous
studies' vision of Mill Creek Nature Park and focuses on
upholding the park's longevity for park users and the
ever-changing community from which they come.
Additionally, the 2020 MNAI study reinforced the
importance of the park's internal and adjacent wetlands
as important sustainability tools. This, when considered
with the 2013 Mill Creek Master Plan, highlights the
continued importance of the multi-faceted benefits of
nature parks in a community.
17
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Introduction
2
18
Big Ideas | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
19
2.0 Consultations and Master Plan Concepts
Building on the original Master Plan's focus on community-led planning, public consultations
serve as a pillar for the development of the park's new Master Plan. The enthusiasm of those
who participated in the consultation process is directly reflected in the list of 96 Big Ideas
(refer to Appendix A), which express the desires and needs of residents and stakeholders and
forms the foundation of this master plan.
2.1 Consultation Process and Strategy
Creating this master plan required significant input from residents and key stakeholders.
Workshops were conducted with Town Council, the Friends of Mill Creek, and town staff
early in the development of the master plan. In-park sessions were held with walkers,
skiers, bikers and nature enthusiasts. Sessions were also conducted at the elementary
school, middle school, and high school levels, and an open house was held to introduce the
Master Plan project to the public and gain insight into the immediate needs and desires of
the community. Additionally, intercept interviews were conducted throughout Mill Creek
Nature Park with a variety of different park users. The main themes that emerged from these
sessions were trail amenities, trail conditions, and park offerings.
Figure 3, next page, describes the plan development process. Each consultation component
is explained in more detail in Appendix A.
19
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Big Ideas
Figure 3 | PROCESS GRAPHIC
Platform
Development
Develop a comprehensive
understanding of the present
position of the park based on
interviews with town staff,
demographic data, past
studies and plans, assets,
mapping and site visits to
establish the baseline
platform for the master plan.
CONSULTATION COMMUNITIES
Undertake a comprehensive and unique
public engagement process including
park intercepts, school workshops,
stakeholder sessions and public open
house sessions.
VISION AND CONCEPTS
Develop a vision and concepts
for the park based on its
users' needs and the park's
ecosystem's opportunities
and constraints.
MASTER PLAN
Assemble the refined
components into a
master plan with
proposed projects,
recommendations and
initiatives for
implementation.
Review
Review and refine the vision
and concepts for the park
with residents, stakeholders
and staff.
1
2
3
4
5
20
Big Ideas | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
21
2.2 Big Statements for Mill Creek Nature Park
The following Mill Creek Nature Park 'Big Statements' are synthesized from the '96 Big Ideas' gathered during consultation (see Appendix A).
Each category includes three statements that inform this master plan's vision.
Recreational Activities
»
Implement social and active recreation opportunities that
utilize Mill Creek's natural features to serve all ages.
»
Establish an inclusive solution and helpful amenities for pet
owners to enjoy the park and engage in recreation within the
park alongside their pet.
»
Offer a variety of both independent and organized
recreational opportunities along with the necessary
equipment and infrastructure to facilitate it.
Nature and Conservation
»
Centralize a respect for nature in the design of the park's
built environment through thoughtful place naming,
interpretive panels, and non-destructive infrastructure.
»
Develop wildlife supportive amenities such as pollinator
gardens, protected areas, bird shelters and feeders.
»
Use development of the park to maintain and improve forest
cover, tackle erosion problems, and improve riparian zones
and natural habitats.
Improvements and Amenities
»
Create a balanced all-season trail system suitable for all
users that connects Mill Creek to other Riverview trail
networks in a cohesive manner.
»
Revitalize the reservoir to increase access and support water
recreation.
»
Enhance the park experience for youth with age specific
amenities such as playgrounds and climbing infrastructure.
Inclusive and Accessible, Winter Improvements,
Safety and concerns
»
Establish a comprehensive shared winter trail system that
speaks to the interests and priorities of park users.
»
Ensure park amenities, such as washrooms, seating,
and signage, are inclusive; and, offer trail networks with
increased accessibility for those with mobility challenges
and visual impairments.
»
Prioritize safety and access both within the park and at
its entrances through proper maintenance and effective
infrastructure.
21
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Big Ideas
3
22
Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
23
3.0 Strategic Vision and Directions
As noted in this master plan's opening chapter, the Town of Riverview
has a unique opportunity to create a national-class park that
provides all-season amenities and natural space for residents and
visitors while protecting biodiversity and managing the impacts of
climate change. Although the park is created for local use, the site's
relationship to the tourist-heavy Route 114 Highway provides the
Province of New Brunswick with another significant South-East New
Brunswick destination. Additionally, day visitors from within and
outside the region capitalize on the park's all-season trails.
First and foremost, the park is created and sustained for the people
of Riverview. Future growth relates to regional residential and
tourism growth, and stresses applied to the park's unique habitat
and activity networks/destinations.
Residents seek definitive actions related to integrated sustainability
and activity that ensures the park's core habitats are protected as use
intensifies, and clarifies the location and type of activity corridors
and destinations within the park. Figure 4 (next page), as well as the
following vision statement, guide this document's proposed actions.
With interconnected forest spaces and aquatic environments,
Mill Creek Nature Park maintains and protects the functional
integrity of its ecosystems and the prominent natural features
that define its landscape character. It is the "green heart" of
Riverview, providing habitat for wildlife, active and passive
recreational opportunities and access to nature for residents
and visitors, and a place where the natural and cultural
heritage is recognized and celebrated.
The following sections bring together the previous chapter's big
ideas with core landscape sustainability approaches to propose
an evolutionary master plan that ensures the Town of Riverview
sustains natural settings under increased cultural pressures.
23
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
Potential location for New Turf Field
Riverview Recreation Complex
Mill Creek Pavilion
Regional Wetland Project
Great Gathering Grounds
30 meter existing tree buffer
Expanded park area
Passive and Passive Plus Trail Network
Active and Active Plus Trail Network
Future Passive and Passive Plus Trail Network Link to Dobson Trail
Future Active and Active Plus Trail Network
Future Passive and Passive Plus Trail Network link to Alma
Town of Riverview
Operations Centre
Bridgedale Boulevard
Gunningsville Boulevard
Future Bridgedale Boulevard
Activated Boulevard Crossing
Future Wetland Trail to Riverview East School
Future Wetland Trail to Boulevard
Edge Development Area
Dam Lookout Area
Dam
Pond
Gunningsville Park Gateway
Possible Future Passive and Passive Plus Trail Network Extensions
Possible Future Active and Active Plus Trail
Network Extensions
Robertson Street
Runnymede Road
Future Single Track Planning Zone
Future Single Track Planning Zone
Figure 4 | MASTER PLAN AND VISION STATEMENT
24
Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
25
3.1 Sustainable Platform
The park's reservoir, watercourse, and adjacent tributary streams
and landforms combine to provide valuable water resources to
sustain riparian and upland habitats for a mix of cultural and natural
landscapes (on lands on both sides of Mill Creek between Pine Glen
Road and Route 114). Several areas along the stream are previously
developed; however, large tracts of tributary lands bordering the
creek's tidal confluence zones remain undeveloped and continue to
function as foundational riparian and associated land habitats.
As mentioned above, residents desire a natural park environment
that sustainably supports increased cultural intervention within
core park habitat(s). This master plan proposes an expansion, where
possible, of the existing park boundary to secure lands that support
the notion of a sustained environmental setting in perpetuity for
lands that directly contribute to Mill Creek. Thus, the following
actions are proposed.
A. ADDITIONAL LAND ACQUISITION. This master plan includes
a review of adjacent undeveloped and/or not-planned-for-
development landforms and aquatic features that directly
relate to the Mill Creek watercourse (see Appendix B).
Conserving the identified lands will provide the town with
a physical platform to sustain interrelated riparian and
upland lands in perpetuity. Additionally, these lands provide
a sufficient platform for park expansion (for both local and
regional use). The park can grow as the town grows and the
municipal tax base increases.
Figure 5 illustrates the location of the park boundary
expansion for the above-noted purposes. It is important to
note that land acquisition will result in a land base more
extensive than required to meet the objectives of this
master plan. Therefore, the Town of Riverview can release
lands for development in the future within the context of
this master plan. The lands illustrated in Figure 5 that are
designated as future recreation within lands located outside
the park boundary, and within the required land base, will
be retained for future Mill Creek extensions into developing
areas. Developers will not be required to transfer lands for
public purposes when subdividing land; however, they will
be required to provide a 10% cash equivalent value for their
lands upon approved subdivision.
B. CONSERVATION DESIGNATION. New lands assembled for
expanded conservation and activity can form the basis of
a discussion with Fundy Biosphere Region representatives
about the assignment of new lands recognized for their
conservation of biodiversity (see Figure 5 for location).
This will ensure the desired conservation measures are
implemented with an active program provider and may
reduce property tax burdens on the Town of Riverview.
It is important to note that conservation designation can
only occur within the context of this master plan. Thus, all
planned recreation activities and supporting infrastructure
and amenities must be permitted, without limitations, under
a a protected area designation for both existing and future
recreation uses and activities.
25
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
Figure 5 | SUSTAINABLE PLATFORM
East boundary lands required to sustain riparian and
water related landscape zones
West boundary lands required to sustain
riparian and water related landscape zones
Existing town-owned land to be incorporated into the
park for wetland conservation and single track
expansion purposes
Existing Mill Creek Nature Park Boundary
Lands for exploration under New Brunswick's
Nature Legacy Initiative
26
Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
27
3.2 Stormwater Management
Mill Creek is a relatively new park located within Riverview's
fastest-growing residential area. Lands immediately bordering
the park's north and northeast boundary continue to grow under
the pressure of much-needed low, medium and higher-density
housing. This development modifies traditional landform drainage
models in a manner that increases the speed of stormwater flows
at non-traditional and structured locations (that align with street
infrastructure). This 'directed' stormwater approach occurs without
attenuation strategies that reduce flow speed while providing
opportunities to recharge plant root zones and groundwater zones.
Thus, storm flow channels are quickly eroded, and the valuable
water resources that sustain flora and fauna habitats are lost to
primary watercourses (where only riparian zones benefit from
heightened climate events). Climate change amplifies this problem.
The following actions serve to stabilize the existing environmental
and activity setting.
A. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY. Mill Creek is the
destination water body for several contributing landforms
and streams and an inland tidal confluence between the
Petitcodiac River and the creek. Lands developing adjacent
to the northern park boundary are draining into the site at
an accelerated rate, irrespective of traditional landform,
natural attenuation and root zone/groundwater recharge
systems. This is common in developing areas; however,
this is problematic within the context of a nature park
and its amenities.
The creation of a detailed stormwater management strategy
is beyond the scope of this master plan; however, it is
essential to sustaining the ecological health of the park.
Therefore, the Town of Riverview and Southeast Regional
Service Commission should collectively prepare the required
supporting materials, zoning strategies and policy that
ensure existing water flows enter the park's watercourses
at present-day volumes, speeds and locations. The Town of
Riverview will manage water assets to sustain existing root
zones, groundwater aquifers and destination water bodies
within the context of this master plan.
27
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
B. IN-PARK STABILIZATION EFFORTS. Before proceeding with
new in-park projects, the town should stabilize trails and
surfaces impacted by altered stormwater flows into the park.
This includes creating a new attenuation feature adjacent
to the Operations Centre, and for the park gateway lands
adjacent to the Bridgedale Boulevard and Runneymeade
Road intersection. This work also includes the stabilization
or replacement of impacted trail surfaces. Although further
assessment is required, this master plan assumes the trails
require replacement for the areas indicated in Figure 6. It is
important to note that retention and attenuation are required
at the future recreation complex (adjacent to the Bridgedale
Boulevard and Runnymeade Road intersection); however,
temporary measures are necessary to ensure structural or
ecological damage is mitigated ahead of this project.
Additionally, resident and professional trail builders have
worked hard to create an initial series of single track trails
within the park. These trails, through word-of-mouth, are
well-used and attract new people to trail running, hiking,
snowshoeing and fat biking.
This master plan describes lands that are suitable for future
trail projects within the context of updated approaches
to ecological and activity zoning within an expanded park
boundary. Therefore, considerate of these updated contexts,
the Town of Riverview should commission a national-level
single-track trail construction expert to visit the park and
to work with local trail builders to develop strategies, best
practices and remediation plans for all of Mill Creek's existing
and future single-track trails. Local trail builders can then
proceed with remediation work and collectively work with
the town on planning, designing and building future single-
track trails.
28
Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
29
Figure 6 | STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Stormwater attenuation basin
required adjacent to Operations
Centre to prevent damage to trail and
landscape areas adjacent to the Centre
Existing single
track trail to be
removed from
watercourse area
Naturalized stormwater retention pond required
adjacent to the new Recreation Complex location
to capture storm flows from the complex and
adjacent development
Integrated Stormwater/
Development Strategy
29
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
3.3 User Experience Improvements
Mill Creek Nature Park is maturing. Residents suggest several ideas
related to improving the user experience within the context of the
site's special attributes. Also, this master plan must address the
inherent and inevitable conflicts that occur as mixed-use visitation
grows within a park (biking and walking, trail use and erosion, etc.).
Increased use within the park applies pressure on existing trail and
destination assets. Although no apparent environmental impacts
occur, residents express concern related to the 'feeling of nature'
during busy use periods. Expanding the trail and destination network
spreads visitation over a larger footprint and reduces the appearance
of perceived overuse.
Additionally, it is essential to note that Mill Creek Nature Park is
created for and funded by the residents of the Town of Riverview.
Although this master plan proposes growth and refinement
strategies, these must relate to residents' desires for the park and the
Town's financial capacity to support these desires. As mentioned in
this document's first chapter, municipal ownership requires that any
development within the park occurs relative to the Town's ability to
maintain the site and that the growth of the park occurs relative to
the Town of Riverview Municipal Plan's stated role of parks within
the town.
The following actions extend from the previous chapter's big ideas
for an improved park experience and are illustrated in Figure 7.
A.
BROAD ACTIVITY ZONES. Generally, the park is
administratively divided into two very broad areas. Lands to
the north of Mill Creek remain activity-dominant lands within
the context of nature, while the lands on the south side of
Mill Creek are nature-dominant lands that permit active-
use corridors and destinations under special conditions.
Therefore, the active lands with primary park gateways
located on the north side of the creek are fully managed by
the Town of Riverview, while the lands on the south side of
the creek may be co-managed by the town (activity), the
Regional Service Commission (planning) and the Fundy
Biosphere Region (conservation) where suitable park use
agreements allow for these partnerships.
B. DESIGNATED MIXED-USE CORRIDORS AND TRAIL
CLASSIFICATIONS. The Town of Riverview will provide trails
within Mill Creek Nature Park under the active and passive
categories within the park zone areas indicated in Figure 7.
Activities within these two classifications will participate
within designated shared-use corridors through mutual
respect and friendship.
It is important to note that trail use is not enforced;
however, it is expected that those using trails improperly
will be respectively advised by those who are properly
using the trails. For example, cyclists that exceed 20km/hr
on passive corridors should expect that those respecting
the rules of use will ensure violators know the rules.
30
Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
31
Figure 7 | USER EXPERIENCE
Robertson Street
Future Single Track Planning Zone
Park passive zone with
development in keeping with low-
impact natural enjoyment
Park active zone with permitted
higher intensity development
Great Gathering Grounds
Multi-Use Passive Plus Trails (white dotted line)
Single Track Active Trails
Single Track Active Plus Trails (beige lines)
Gateway Park Panel
Gateway Park Panel
Active Gateway Zone
Nature Activity Zone
Multi-Use Passive
Trails (white line)
Paddling/Viewing Pavilion
31
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
C. GATEWAY PRESENTATION. Mill Creek Nature Park is a local
and regional destination and should express this at the
park's primary gateways. Thus, the Town of Riverview should
design, tender and install large park gateway signs at the
Runnymeade Road entrance, and at the Bridgedale and
Gunningsville intersection. Both signs should include the
park and town brands, express the character of the park and
hosted activities, and be mobile (to allow for placement at
varied locations as the town and park evolve).
D. COMFORT STATIONS. Small seating and interpretive spaces
located at the trail's edge provide social, wayfinding and
rest amenities along trail corridors. These stations require
locations at approximately 250-meter intervals, should be
placed off-the-edge of trails, and include seating, shade,
wayfinding signage and trash cans. Thus, the Mill Creek
Nature Park Specifications Manual should be updated to
include these stations at the locations illustrated in Figure 7.
E. CONTEXTUAL INTERPRETATION AND WAYFINDING. Residents
expressed a desire to add additional directional and
interpretive signage within the park that directs people
toward key park destinations and describes how far a visitor
is from any destination.
Present-day park signage is appropriate for the present-
day park; however, it is placed at a scale that will become
overpowering as the park grows. Additionally, the signage
should be designed within the context of nature, and
be subservient to the natural setting. Thus, the Town
of Riverview should update the Mill Creek Nature Park
Specifications Manual to include a contemporary and
appropriate destination-based wayfinding and interpretive
package that is simple to read, easy to follow, and easily
editable as the park grows.
This signage program begins at the Runnymeade Road and
Robertson Street parking areas. Both of these destinations
will change as the park evolves; therefore, the town should
place temporary seacan-based stations that provide
information about park history and the master plan, provide
a clear park map, describe how to use and oversee the safe
use of the park, as well as provide stations for power-assist
electric bikes and personal devices, shade, and washrooms.
This is an important meeting point and a critical step toward
the respectful use of shared-use trails within the park.
32
Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
33
F. GROOMING AND TRAIL USE PROGRAM. Town of Riverview
Operational staff winter grooming programs work well;
however, it is important to evaluate grooming practices as
the park evolves to align with current and future use in the
park. For example, the expanded shared use of winter trails
requires administrative refinement to ensure active and
passive corridors function relative to this master plan. Thus,
winter ski trail users expand to include fat bikers within the
freestyle portion of the corridor. Park signage expresses a
reduced tire pressure for bikes using the freestyle ski trail
(8-10psi) to ensure minimal gouging of the trail surface. No
biking is permitted over classic ski trail tracks.
This approach to trail use expands the active winter network
to include all ski trails and moves fat bikes away from passive
park users. Summertime mixed-use trails include all trails.
Thus, the passive trail network should include programming
and signage that ensures users understand that cycling on
the pedestrian-dominant trails is for passive use of the park
only. An expanded active single-track network in presently-
undeveloped park areas will reduce cycling pressure on the
passive network.
G. THE ACTIVE GATEWAY. Many residents consulted during
public and one-on-one sessions describe the need for
an active play park in this area of Riverview. This should
include multi-use court spaces, large multi-generational play
equipment, outdoor skating and social amenities. Although
this type of play facility is not in keeping with the notion of a
natural park, it is in keeping with the notion of a community
centre and should be included in the recreation complex
project proposed for the corner of Runnymeade Road and
Bridgedale Boulevard.
H. THE MILL CREEK NATURE ACTIVITY ZONE. This area of the
park provides great panoramic park views within the context
of mature forest cover. Any improvements for the purpose
of creating improved or expanded activity within this area
should include natural materials. For example, adding
a climbing course constructed from wood and ropes is
appropriate; however, steel posts and chain is not.
33
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
I.
THE GREAT NATURE GATHERING
GROUNDS. Something that is
missing, according to consulted
residents, is a large passive open
space that is programmable for
town-permitted volunteer-groups,
all-season outdoor performances,
large-event staging, nature learning
programs, and other events that
have town and regional attraction in
the park.
Figure 7 illustrates the location of a
new open space that expands the
attraction of the future recreation
complex with a multi-use, multi-
generational and multi-family venue
capable of hosting thousands of
people for varied outdoor events at
any time of the year.
J. ON-LEASH DOG PROGRAMS. Without
a doubt, Riverview residents love
their dogs and enjoy bringing
them to the park for personal and
pet well-being. Many residents
expressed an interest in walking
dogs without leashes; however,
ecological integrity can not be
retained where pet running in
off-trail areas impacts forest floor
conditions. Therefore, the Town
of Riverview should develop
a promotional program that
encourages park visitors to bring
dogs to the park, clean up after
dogs, and place dog-refuse bags into
the park's trash containers.
K. PADDLING DOCK/VIEWING
PLATFORM. Residents express a
desire to enjoy a passive interpretive
experience at water's edge while
the park's user groups wish to
access the water for programmed
paddling. The town should create a
facility that provides venue for these
activities at a location where user
group paddle boats can drive into
the site for boat delivery. Figure 7
illustrates the location of this facility.
34
Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
35
3.4 Evolving Mill Creek Nature Park
The previous three sections set the platform for the expansion of Mill Creek Nature Park. Expansion occurs for two reasons. First, to provide
residents with an increased and diversified series of activities and natural settings that relieves use pressures applied upon existing settings.
Second, trail and destination assets that expand into natural areas institutionalize the areas for recreation and, if recreational assets are
sensitively placed on the land, retain park lands for conservation.
A. NATURE PARK ADVENTURE ASSOCIATION. The Mill Creek
Nature Park is a community asset, and broad community
participation in planning, programming and vision setting
is essential to ensure that residents appropriately utilize the
Town of Riverview's investment in the physical asset.
The Friends of Mill Creek presently play a role in this effort.
However, to ensure that initiatives are in keeping with
resident-desired park activities, this effort by the Friends
could benefit from additional community involvement,
especially from residents that pay to use the park through
property tax or regional residents that support park
development or programming initiatives as part of a club
or association.
Trail builders presently work to establish a single-track
network; however, they require additional training to build
trails within the context of this master plan. Scouts, Women
of the Wilderness, and other groups utilize that park and
reservoir pond for learning adventures; however, they are
not part of the park's primary programming efforts. Thus, a
new approach to community participation is possible.
The Town of Riverview does not require a park oversight
committee; however, it would greatly benefit from feedback
from an advisory group of council-appointed individuals
that can provide Council, on-request, with advice relative to
park improvements that support community sustainability,
adventure and learning activity, as well as provide advice on
how investment should be focused within the park over the
next three years. The Town of Riverview should consider the
following two-step process that evolves the Friends of Mill
Creek from its current format to a broader community group
inclusive of both environmental and programming interests.
STEP ONE - REFINE THE 'FRIENDS'. As previously mentioned,
the present-day Friends of Mill Creek Committee is an 'all-
star' group of highly engaged and environmentally engaged
professionals. This group has a deep knowledge of the park
and an advanced knowledge of ecology and landscape
management. Thus, this is an ideal foundational group to
build upon and add community activity representation with
a broadened mandate focusing on annual review and advice
for both environment and activity.
35
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
Also, as previously mentioned, the existing 'Friends' include
many individuals that, ideally, have participated in this group
over several years. Thus, the existing committee should
be reduced to half the existing numbers, thus allowing the
town to call upon the 'shelved expertise' of retired members
as remaining members reach their end-of-term dates. The
present-day committee chair should remain in this position
to oversee and guide the Mill Creek Nature Park Advisory
Committee for a two-year period.
The immediately vacated seats should be filled with council-
appointed community representation drawn from seniors,
walking, cycling, marketing and communications, ski and
single-track trail and maintenance groups. Additionally, this
group should include at least one Council member and a
staff member designated by the Director of Parks, Recreation
and Community Relations. The new committee should
become a committee of council, under the authority of
Section 41 of By-Law 1000-10-05, to ensure the group has a
meaningful role within the town and the nature park.
The first tasks of this group include the creation of a working
committee to participate with the Town in developing a
complete IMBA-level specification single-track network
that functions as mountain and fat bike, hiking and
snowshoeing trail running in a manner that ensures all-
season maintenance by municipal and volunteer equipment,
and that encourages use by all residents. The town will
commission a supporting expert consultant to work with the
working committee to develop the network plan.
STEP TWO - THE MILL CREEK NATURE PARK ADVENTURE
ASSOCIATION. The Mill Creek Nature Park Advisory
Committee should evolve toward a community and
membership-based association of local and regional
residents participating in learning and activity-based
programming within the park. At a minimum, this should
include walking, hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing,
geocaching, dog walkers, naturalists, etc., and groups
interested in using, developing use programs, and raising
funds to contribute to operations within the park.
The existing 'Friends' should evolve toward this
association before expanding the park into newly
acquired lands. By agreement, the Town of Riverview will
develop the trail and supporting amenity systems while
the association delivers programmed activity within the
park. Program staffing is funded by the association, while
maintenance staffing is funded by residents through
the Town of Riverview. Again, by agreement, special
promotion initiatives raise funds for municipally operated
trail grooming and maintenance equipment.
The refined committee defined in Step One evolves into
an association Board of Directors. Membership in this
association will continue to include staff and council
representation; however, an additional operations staff
member should be added to ensure direct communication
between users and maintainers. Thus, the Mill Creek Nature
Park Advisory Committee dissolves with the establishment of
the association.
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Strategic Directions | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
37
B. ALL-DAY/ALL-SEASON ACTIVE ZONES. The proposed
recreation complex provides a launching point into the park
from a high-use and high-visibility location. This centre
will attract visitation for approximately 20 hours per day.
Because of this, the nature park should offer easily accessible
and easy-to-use family activities from this location. The town
should consider the creation of a partnership-based gateway
pavilion that includes club gathering facilities, seating, social
and meeting space, washrooms, and a private business
operation such as a small pub (see Figure 7 for location).
C. EXTEND INTO NEIGHBOURHOODS AND THE REGION. Once
the lands described in this plan are acquired, there is an
increased opportunity to connect the riverfront and regional
trail systems to the Dobson Trail and the neighbourhoods,
schools, etc., bordering the park (see Figure 7). Linkages to
existing adjacent street and trail linkages that require street
crossings must include a fully accessible crosswalk with
personally activated flashing light fixtures.
D. EXPAND CULTURAL CONTEXTS. Section 3.3 describes a
destination-based wayfinding system that directs park users
to the primary park addresses. The park's newer active trail
corridors use colour-based nomenclature. The Town should
explore a refined naming system related to the park, town
history, and First Nations use of the site and region.
E. STABILIZE THE POND AND DAM. The Town of Riverview
will require a permanent solution for reservoir dam
replacement over the next 25 years. The Town should
explore the feasibility of a solution that includes burying
the existing dam within a natural barrier that includes
varied granular foundations with planted cover and an
integrated fish and water passage. Thus, the dam will
evolve toward a sustainable transfer from pond to stream
while retaining a well-established pond's edge riparian zone
and upland habitat. Additionally, the barrier can support
accessible passage to the water's edge and the opposite
side of the pond.
F. THE MILL CREEK APP. The association and town should work
together to develop a handheld device app specific to Mill
Creek Nature Park. This app provides comprehensive all-
season trail mapping with live positioning, trail condition
report, a calendar of events, activities and programs, and
other important communications.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Strategic Directions
4
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
39
4.0
Implementation Plan
This chapter provides clear implementation steps for moving forward and the strategy
that guides these steps. Although the plan presents steps in a linear format, it is
understood that implementation is a highly iterative process that will not occur exactly as
described in this chapter. It is important to note that actions may be undertaken relative
to budget availability, funding opportunities, emerging and evolving user needs, etc.
Changes to the implementation plan are normal and expected. Regular evaluation of the
implementation strategy's direction and actions will ensure the Town is accomplishing
the plan's goals and objectives.
4.1 Strategy and Roadmap
The Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan utilizes a three-phase strategy that ensures the
facility is sustained for future generations, positioned relative to existing and emerging
recreations, and evolves relative to future opportunities. The three phases with their
projects are illustrated in figure 8 on the next two pages.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
MANDATE
01
LAND ACQUISITION
03
MUNICIPAL PLANNING
AND LAND USE ZONES
02
EVOLVE THE
FRIENDS OF MILL
CREEK NATURE PARK
04
SINGLE TRACK
RENOVATION AND
GROWTH MASTER PLAN
06
GATEWAYS
08
STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT
05
TRAIL
DESIGNATIONS
07
Achieve a mandate
to implement this
master plan at
municipal, provincial
and federal levels.
Purchase and reserve
the lands required to
deliver a long-term
sustainable habitat
for the park.
Work with the Southeast
Regional Service Commission
to develop a detailed strategy
and program that addresses
present and future stormwater
requirements within and
adjacent to the park.
Re-designate the park's
trails to contemporary
all-season mixed-use
corridors with updated
construction and
maintenance standards.
ON-LEASH
PROGRAM
09
Encourage
on-leash dog use
of the park
through
pedestrian and
dog activity
programming at
specified times.
Work with the Southeast
Regional Service Commission
and Fundy Biosphere Region
to adopt master plan policies,
and to establish in-park and
adjacent land-use zones
within the context of this
master plan.
Develop primary park
entries at the
Gunningsville and
Runneymeade gateways,
including temporary
information/
washroom pavilions.
Dissolve and re-build the
'Friends' to create a future
not-for-profit community
group that is engaged in
park sustainability and
recreation activities.
Develop a long-term plan
that renovates or removes
existing trails, and proposes
future trails complete with
construction and
maintenance guidelines.
PHASE ONE | STABILIZATION
Projects in this phase strengthen the existing ecological, administrative and
physical park components relative to this master plan's objectives.
Figure 8 | IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
41
PADDLING/VIEWING
PLATFORM
GREAT GATHERING GROUNDS
SECONDARY PLANS
DEVELOP A MILL
CREEK NATURE
PARK APP
POND & DAM
STABILIZATION
Develop a combination
paddling dock and viewing
pavilion at a location where
passive walkers can easily
access the water's edge,
and where boat delivery is
possible on a wide trail.
WAYFINDING,
INTERPRETATION &
COMFORT PLAN
Develop a detailed
wayfinding and
storyline-base
interpretation plan, and an
associated amenity package
that describes the type and
location of seating, shade,
washrooms, etc.
Create a handheld digital
device application that
includes general park
activity and event
information, mapping and
location support, and
storyline interpretation.
In association with detailed
Recreation Complex plans,
develop a detailed plan for the
lands adjacent to the
Bridgedale by-pass and the
centre in a manner that
explores requirements for
event-based open space, forest
protection and future
boulevard edge development.
Work with the Southeast
Regional Service
Commission planning group
to develop secondary plans
for lands adjacent to the
park. This should include
the location and placement
of all active transportation
links for local and regional
connectivity purposes.
NATURE PLAY PARK
11
THE MILL CREEK
PAVILION
13
12
10
14
16
18
FOREST
MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY
15
17
Design, tender and
build a nature-based
playground at the
present-day dam area
look-off (adjacent to
the ladder stair and
picnic shelters).
Following the placement of
the Recreation Complex,
design and build a new
park gateway pavilion
complete with active play
spaces for a splashpad,
playground and all-wheel
plaza activity.
Work with a consulting
expert and the evolved
Friends to develop a forest
management strategy that
strengthens the existing
and expanding canopy and
ground cover in perpetuity.
Develop and
implement a plan
for the naturalized
stabilization of the
existing pond.
PHASE TWO | POSITIONING PROJECTS
Projects within this phase position the park relative to existing,
contemporary and emerging local and regional recreation opportunities.
PHASE THREE | MILL CREEK NATURE PARK EVOLUTION
The phase three projects address long-term requirements relative to
how the park evolves relative to sustainability and growth.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
4.2 Stabilization Projects
Project No.1 - Achieve Mandate to Implement
this Master Plan
This plan includes several important short, medium and long-term
projects that will require ongoing communication among political
representatives, residents, town council and staff.
This action involves acquiring a mandate from town council and
funding/operation partners (e.g., the Province of New Brunswick and
the Government of Canada). Although council has officially accepted
this document, the plan's intent must be incorporated into the
town's official planning documents/tools to ensure implementation
relative to this master plan's three phases. Recreation department
leadership must work with Southeast Regional Service Commission
planning representatives to amend relevant documents, or to
include policies in the next plan update.
In addition to this, recreation leadership should present this
master plan to regional funding and support agencies such as
the Province of New Brunswick's recreation staff, regional First
Nation representatives, provincial MLAs, federal MPs, and key local
and regional residents highly involved in park programming. It is
important to note that consulted First Nations representatives can
play several roles relative to the planning and development of the
park, and the representatives can dictate both committment and
involvement.
Project No.2 - Municipal Planning and Land Use Zones
The Town's Recreation, Parks and Community Relations staff
representatives will work with Southeast Regional Service
Commission planning representatives and Fundy Biosphere
Region to review all official strategic and regulatory planning tools/
documents to determine all areas that should be revised to support
the implementation of this master plan relative to both active and
conservation measures. Planning representatives should update
policy through amendments as soon as possible. This work should
include the results of the MNAI work to ensure wetland conservation
and planning moves to the forefront of development and growth
initiatives within the park's 'neighbourhood'.
The strategy for moving this master plan forward involves embarking
on the previously described three-phase implementation strategy.
The administrative context required to execute this implementation
plan is developed immediately for procedural ease and includes the
adoption and integration of the policies provided in Section 4.5 of
this master plan.
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
43
Project No.3 - Land Acquisition
The Town of Riverview should actively seek, through purchase or
acquire through Lands for Public Purpose designation, the lands
indicated in figure 9. These lands are important for both recreation
and conservation purposes and are an important component of
long-term park sustainability.
-
Project No.4 - Evolve the Friends of Mill Creek
Nature Park
The Town of Riverview should dissolve the Friends of Mill Creek
Nature Park Committee and begin the process of creating the Mill
Creek Nature Park Advisory Committee under the terms stated in
the town's Section 41 of By-Law 1000-10-05. The committee should
include a maximum of 12 members and include one councillor, six
members with an understanding of landscape ecology, forestry,
biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, etc., three day-to-day park
users and two general interest group representatives (planning,
landscape architecture, cultural heritage organizations, etc.).
Appointments to this committee should be two-year, with the
ability to expand to the third year upon committee or member
request. Appointments to the committee are made by council,
based on staff and/or council recommendations.
It is important to note that this committee is planned to 'sunset'
after 3 to 5 years, and is intended to form the basis of the leadership
of a community-based association that, with the participation of a
vast membership, works to provide programmed activities within
the park, creates and maintains new single track trail, grooms
winter trails, as well as develops and implements forest and aquatic
resource management plans.
East
boundary
lands to be
acquired
(181 acres)
West boundary
lands to be
acquired
(109 acres)
Existing town-
owned land to be
added to the park
(153 acres)
Existing Mill
Creek Nature
Park Boundary
(323 acres)
Figure 9 | LAND ACQUISITION
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
Project No.5 - Stormwater Management
The Town of Riverview should commence work on the design and
construction of two retention/wetland projects where indicated
in the adjacent figure. The Runnymeade wetland project should
consider all existing area storm flows presently entering the park
without attenuation, all stormwater requirements for the new
Recreation Complex, and the existing forest canopy and ground
cover that requires storm flows for flora sustainability.
The proposed retention basin located adjacent to the existing
Operations Centre will direct existing flows away from the trail system
ditches and will require re-establishing a presently damaged trail.
The costs of this project are to be determined.
Town of Riverview
Operations Centre
Bridgedale Boulevard
Gunningsville Boulevard
Future Bridgedale Boulevard
Naturalized stormwater
retention area
Robertson Street
Runnymede Road
Stormwater attenuation basin
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
45
Project No.6 - Single Track Renovation And
Growth Master Plan
The Town of Riverview is fortunate to have several residents
interested in the planning, construction and maintenance of the
park's single-track trail system. Thus, the town should commission
an expert single-track trail consultant to work with staff and
residents to review all existing works, propose a plan to upgrade or
remove trails that impact the park's ecological setting, and plan new
single-track trails throughout the park.
Additionally, this work should include the creation of a design and
operational guideline document that ensures trails are planned and
built relative to multi-use and multi-generational requirements.
Planning and design guidelines must also provide the town and
residents with a maintenance standard that allows municipal or
community-owned machinery to maintain single-track trails.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Planning and design - $15,000 - $25,000
Construction costs to be determined.
Town of Riverview
Operations Centre
Bridgedale Boulevard
Gunningsville Boulevard
Future Bridgedale Boulevard
Robertson Street
Runnymede Road
Single track network
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
Figure 10 | THREE SEASON TRAILS
Project No.7 - Trail Designations
The existing trail network requires a minor modification to distribute trail-based activity
within that park based on active and passive corridors.
PASSIVE TRAIL
FUTURE PASSIVE TRAIL
PASSIVE PLUS TRAIL
FUTURE PASSIVE PLUS TRAIL
ACTIVE TRAIL
ACTIVE PLUS TRAIL
FUTURE ACTIVE PLUS TRAIL
WETLAND AREA
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
47
THREE-SEASON TRAILS
THREE-SEASON PASSIVE TRAIL. This 3.5 meter (minimum) granular
surface is the dominant park trail and is designed as a multi-use,
multi-family, multi-generational corridor with speed limits not
exceeding 20km/hr. On-leash dog walking is permitted on this trail.
THREE SEASON PASSIVE-PLUS TRAIL. These trails are provided under
the same specification as the passive trail; however, users can expect
the passive-plus trails to cross steeper terrain, and provide a greater
physical challenge. On-leash dog walking is permitted on this trail.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
THREE SEASON ACTIVE TRAIL. These 1.0 meter (minimum) trails
provide access to naturalized spaces for multi-family and multi-
generational hiking, trail running and mountain biking. These
trails are placed with a minimal ecological footprint and provide a
continuous natural experience.
THREE-SEASON ACTIVE-PLUS TRAILS. These trails are provided
under the same specification as the active trail; however,
users can expect the active-plus trails to cross steeper terrain,
and provide a greater physical challenge while still enjoying a
continuous natural experience.
Figure 11 | WINTER TRAILS
PASSIVE TRAIL
FUTURE PASSIVE TRAIL
PASSIVE PLUS TRAIL
FUTURE PASSIVE PLUS TRAIL
ACTIVE TRAIL
ACTIVE PLUS TRAIL
FUTURE ACTIVE PLUS TRAIL
WETLAND AREA
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
49
WINTER TRAILS
WINTER SEASON-PASSIVE TRAIL. This 3.5 meter (minimum) groomed
surface is the dominant park trail, and is designed as a multi-use,
multi-family and multi-generational corridor with speed limits not
exceeding 20km/hr. On-leash dog walking is permitted on this trail.
WINTER SEASON PASSIVE-PLUS TRAIL. These trails are provided
under the same specification as the passive trail; however, users can
expect the passive-plus trails to cross steeper terrain, and provide
a greater physical challenge. On-leash dog walking is permitted on
this trail.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
WINTER SEASON ACTIVE TRAIL. These 3.5 meter (minimum) groomed
trails provide residents with a groomed active-use corridor for multi-
family and multi-generational cross-country skiing and fat biking.
Classic ski corridors are provided on single-use groomed surfaces,
while freestyle ski and fat biking share the same groomed surface. It
is important to note that fat bike tire pressures must be dropped to
8-10psi for these shared-used corridors.
WINTER SEASON ACTIVE-PLUS TRAILS. These 1.0 meter (minimum)
trails provide access to naturalized off-season spaces for multi-family
and multi-generational snowshoeing and fat biking, and include all
single-track trails.
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
51
Project No.8 - Gateways
This project includes the placement of new and large gateway signs
at the park's Runnymeade and Gunningsville entries. The signs are
to be designed as large panels that are readable by passing cars,
articulate that visitors have arrived at a primary park entrance, and
the activities available within the park. Additionally, the sign panels
are to be designed as a contemporary fixture to articulate the notion
of a park created for today's residents.
This project also includes the design, fabrication and placement
of a temporary pavilion at both entrances that provide a
washroom, updated destination-based wayfinding signage, as
well as trail use and park habitat information. Again, this should
be a highly contemporary project and can include a SeaCan
adaption and placement to ensure the notion of 'temporary' is
successfully articulated.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Gateway Sign Panels - $20,000-$25,000 per panel.
Temporary Pavilion - $35,000-$40,000 per pavilion.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
Project No.9 - ON-Leash PROGRAMMING
The Town of Riverview should develop a program that informs dog
walkers how to enjoyably and responsibly use Mill Creek Nature Park
with their pets. This program should include digital and physical
promotional materials (pamphlets, signage, dog bag stations, etc.)
that inform users that dogs must be on leashes and remain on the
trails, as well as information about properly collecting and disposing
of dog waste within the context of a nature park.
.
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
53
Project No.10 - Paddling/Viewing Pavilion
The Town of Riverview should design and develop a pavilion at a
location where residents can walk to, and enjoy water views. For
viewing purposes, the pavilion should include seating, shade and
cultural/natural interpretation on a helical anchor deck system that
extends over the water. The deck surface also provides water access
for paddle boaters who can remove the rail to access a temporary
paddleboat EZ Launch system, pro programmed use only.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Paddle and Viewing Pavilion - $55,000-$65,000
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
4.3 Positioning Projects
Project No.11 - Wayfinding, Interpretation and
Comfort Plan
The Town of Riverview should develop and implement a detailed
plan that includes the design, fabrication and installation of
wayfinding and interpretation signage, as well as seating and shade
stations at 250-meter intervals throughout the passive trail network
(only). This work should include the proposed washroom locations
as the park grows/evolves.
Work in this project includes capturing the unique habitat resources
described in this document, and blending these with the unique
cultural resources described in Daniel DeLong's original research to
create a unique approach to storytelling within the park.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Planning and design (for tendering) park amenity package - $35,000
- $45,000
Fabrication and installation costs to be determined.
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
55
Project No.12 - Nature ACTIVITY ZONE
The Town of Riverview should work with park user groups such as
Scouts to develop a series of linear balance and strength
activities at the lookout area that expands existing program
offerings and activities here. Materials in this area should only
include natural materials such as wood, rope, rocks, etc.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Planning and design (for tendering) - $5,000 - $8,000
Fabrication and installation costs - $18,000 - $22,000.
Example of activity zone elements by Earthscape
Example of activity zone elements by Earthscape
Example of activity zone elements (Ropes Direct)
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
Project No.13 - Great Gathering Grounds
The Town of Riverview should expand their planning and design
efforts for the Recreation Complex to include the creation of an
event-based open space capable of hosting all-season events and
activities and can be utilized for expanded recreation complex or
new facility use (such as rinks, etc.)
Additionally, planning of this space should include consideration
for mixed-use developments along the Bridgedale Boulevard as the
boulevard extends west.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Project Cost Estimate: to be determined.
Photo by: Roman Boed
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
57
Project No.14 - The Mill Creek Pavilion
As the Recreation Complex plans evolve, the town should develop plans
for the park's primary gateway in a location that extends the Recreation
Complex site into the park, and creates a single powerful and multi-use
recreation address within the Province of New Brunswick.
This pavilion offers a gateway and community meeting space,
washrooms and a retail space such as a microbrew and snack
outlet. A partnership with the private sector provides complete in-
building operations. The town can maintain the site alongside the
Recreation Complex.
Additionally, the site located between the pavilion and Recreation
Complex should include active play elements that ensure multi-
generational and multi-family use of the site, while expanding the
destination's attraction. Elements should include an all-wheel plaza,
splashpad and significant playground.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Project Cost Estimate: to be determined.
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
4.4 Evolutionary Projects
Project No.15 - Secondary Plans
The Town of Riverview should explore an
updated land use model, in the form of
secondary plans, for the two areas indicated
on the adjacent map. This work should
occur within the context of an updated
municipal plan, and can occur when this
process is required under the provincial
planning act.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Planning and design (for master planning) -
$45,000 - $55,000
Town of Riverview
Operations Centre
Gunningsville Boulevard
Future Bridgedale Boulevard
Robertson Street
Runnymede Road
Secondary planning area for
future residential/park interface
that includes park extensions into
future development areas
Secondary planning area for future mixed-use
development zone that includes wetland
evaluation sustainability modelling, and park
extensions into future development areas
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
59
Project No.16 - Forest Management Strategy
The town of Riverview should work with a consulting expert and
the evolved Friends to develop a forest management strategy that
strengthens the existing and expanding canopy and ground cover
in perpetuity.
The town and committee can use this report's Appendix B and
the following to establish the program. A skilled professional will
develop detailed actions to work with the following seven key forest
management strategies.
ONE - Ground-truth assumptions about existing conditions, and
identify landscape management targets for each mapped and
categorized landscape polygon illustrated in Appendix B. The
landscape management target categories may ultimately be
different than existing condition landscape categories (i.e. The
best plan for an area 'flagged for potential ecological importance'
adjacent to development may be to act as a buffer or a heavy-use
recreation area instead of being maintained as a highly protected
area, while 'stable medium impact' areas could potentially be
restored into higher quality habitat).
TWO - Landscape targets must be realistic, factor in future
development and recreational use, and be robust to prevent
degradation of sensitivity features, such as erosion-prone slopes
and waterways.
THREE - Identify policy tools and recommendations, such as
setbacks and vegetated buffers, to be included on private property
as it is developed.
FOUR - Identify key Appendix B 'flagged for potential ecological
importance' areas which can be protected as large intact patches
through resilient landscape buffers against development, and fine-
grained buffers against impacts from recreation.
FIVE - Develop an edge management strategy to prevent degradation
of ecological integrity in key 'flagged for potential ecological
importance' areas intended for protection, and maintain and
enhance habitat connections between large protected 'flagged for
potential ecological importance' areas.
SIX - Intentionally program recreation to keep widest, heaviest use
trails and most impactful activities away from most sensitive areas,
but allow access to destination park features. Additionally, develop
a hierarchy of trail typologies and their impacts, and match them to
the landscape management targets for each categorized landscape
area. Assess whether seasonally appropriate trail use can reduce
recreational impacts on ecology in some areas.
SEVEN - Assess whether 'stable medium impact' areas will be
regenerated into higher quality and protected habitats or will be
more heavily programmed. Additionally, areas identified for habitat
improvement could have additional native species planted to
catalyze regeneration, particularly in areas of past reforestation or
monocultures, as well as invasive species removal.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Forest Management Strategy Consultant - $25,000 - $35,000
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Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Implementation Plan
Project No.17 - Develop a Mill Creek Nature Park App.
The Town of Riverview should commission a professional digital app
creator to develop a handheld phone or tablet-based application
that includes general park activity and event information, mapping
and location support. This work can also include interpretation
information, as well as locations where interpretation is available
within the park.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Professional App Development - $20,000 - $25,000
Project No.18- Pond and Dam Stabilization
The Town of Riverview should commission a landscape architect/
engineering team to develop a detailed plan for the nature-based
stabilization of the existing dam. This design should include the
burial of the existing dam with graded granular material, as well
as the placement of concrete and natural rock to form a staged
waterfall complete with pools and a fish ladder from the existing
pond to the existing stream.
Planning and design should include representation from the Federal
Department of Fisheries and the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance.
PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:
Landscape Architect/Engineering Consultant - $45,000 - $55,000
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Implementation Plan | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
61
4.5 IMPLEMENTATION POLICY
Through its enactment of the policies listed below, the Town of
Riverview establishes the mandate for which the Mill Creek Nature
Park Master Plan's implementation will be achieved.
POLICY MCNP-1 The Town of Riverview shall incorporate this Mill
Creek Nature Park Master Plan's policies and projects into sections
3.2, 3.3 as well as chapters 9.0 and 11.0, and Schedule A of the
Municipal Development Plan to ensure contextual and reciprocal
compliance between the town and park plans.
POLICY MCNP-2 The Town of Riverview shall seek to acquire the
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan Figure 9.0 lands presently not
owned by the Town for use in park growth and habitat protection
initiatives.
POLICY MCNP-3 The Town of Riverview Mayor and Council shall
dissolve the Friends of Mill Creek Nature Park and establish the Mill
Creek Nature Park Advisory Committee for a 5-year (maximum)
period as a committee of council under the terms stated in the
town's Section 41 of By-Law 1000-10-05 relative to the Project No.4
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan.
POLICY MCNP-4 Council shall mandate Parks, Recreation and
Community Relations staff to actively work with the Mill Creek Nature
Park Advisory Committee to expand community partnership with
the committee and to develop ad-hoc committees that evolve into
components of a future community association following the 5-year
(maximum) Mill Creek Nature Park Advisory Committee lifespan.
POLICY MCNP-5 The Town of Riverview, with Plan360, a
component of the Southeast Regional Service Commission, shall
develop the Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan's Project No.16 Forest
Management Strategy to provide valuable baseline ecological data
for future local and regional planning strategies.
POLICY MCNP-6 The Town of Riverview shall work actively
with Plan360, a component of the Southeast Regional Service
Commission, to develop secondary plans complete with
contemporary stormwater management models for the Mill Creek
Nature Park Master Plan's Projects No. 5 and 15.
POLICY MCNP-7 The Town of Riverview recognizes that the Mill
Creek dam is an essential component of the cultural and ecological
health of the Mill Creek Nature Park; therefore, the Town of Riverview
shall explore naturalized approaches to retaining the dam structure
while introducing fish passage structures as per Project No.18 of the
Mil Creek Nature Park Master Plan.
61
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Endnotes
Endnotes
1
"Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
2
"Improving Public Health through Public Parks
and Trails." National Park Service and Centres for
Disease Control and Prevention. https://npgallery.
nps.gov/RTCA/GetAsset/f09e69fc-2696-45e8-
b4d5-90e4cea5e689
3
"Role of Parks and Recreation on Health and
Wellness." National Recreation and Park
Association. https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/
Three-Pillars/role-of-parks-and-recreation-on-
health-and-wellness/
4
Canadian Parks and Recreation Association/
Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council
(February 2015). A Framework for Recreation in
Canada - 2015 - Pathways to Wellbeing. Ottawa:
Canadian Recreation and Parks Association. 40
pages. www.lin.ca
5
"Top 7 Benefits of Parks and Recreation." Omnify,
https://www.getomnify.com/blog/top-7-benefits-
of-parks-and-recreation
6
Robbins, Jim. "Ecopsychology: How Immersion
in nature Benefits Your Health." Yale Environment
360, 9 Jan 2020, https://e360.yale.edu/features/
ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-
benefits-your-health
7
"Role of Parks and Recreation on Health and
Wellness." National Recreation and Park
Association. https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/
Three-Pillars/role-of-parks-and-recreation-on-
health-and-wellness/
8
"Improving Public Health through Public Parks
and Trails." National Park Service and Centres for
Disease Control and Prevention. https://npgallery.
nps.gov/RTCA/GetAsset/f09e69fc-2696-45e8-
b4d5-90e4cea5e689
9
Turner-Skoff, Jessica B, Nicole Cavender. "The
Benefits of Trees for Livable and Sustainable
Communities." New Phytologist Foundation,
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/
full/10.1002/ppp3.39
10 Weir, Kirsten. "Nurtured by Nature." American
Psychological Association, vol. 51, No.3, 1 April
2020, https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/
nurtured-nature
11 Robbins, Jim. "Ecopsychology: How Immersion
in nature Benefits Your Health." Yale Environment
360, 9 Jan 2020, https://e360.yale.edu/features/
ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-
benefits-your-health
12 Robbins, Jim. "Ecopsychology: How Immersion
in nature Benefits Your Health." Yale Environment
360, 9 Jan 2020, https://e360.yale.edu/features/
ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-
benefits-your-health
13 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
14 Weir, Kirsten. "Nurtured by Nature." American
Psychological Association, vol. 51, No.3, 1 April
2020, https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/
nurtured-nature
15 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
16 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
17 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
18 The Health and Social Benefits of Recreation.
California State Parks, 2005, https://www.nps.
gov/goga/learn/management/upload/1536_ca-
health_benefits_081505-2.pdf
19 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
20 "Benefits and Value of Trails." Columbia Valley
Trail Alliance Greenways, https://www.greenways.
ca/trails-in-the-valley/benefits-value-trails/
62
Endnotes | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
63
21 Nowak, David J. And Gordon M. Heisler. "Air
Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks." National
Recreation and Park Association. https://www.
nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_
and_Research/Research/Papers/Nowak-Heisler-
Research-Paper.pdf
22 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
23 "Benefits fo Trails and Greenways." CT.gov, 2018,
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Outdoor-Recreation/
Greenways/Benefits-of-Trails-and-Greenways
24 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
25 "Benefits of Recreation." City of Richmond,
https://www.richmond.ca/parksrec/about/
mandate/benefits.htm
26 "Active Transportation and Parks and Recreation."
National Recreation and Park Association,
https://www.nrpa.org/contentassets/
f768428a39aa4035ae55b2aaff372617/
activetransportation_final.high.pdf
27 "Benefits fo Trails and Greenways." CT.gov, 2018,
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Outdoor-Recreation/
Greenways/Benefits-of-Trails-and-Greenways
28 Nowak, David J. And Gordon M. Heisler. "Air
Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks." National
Recreation and Park Association. https://www.
nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_
and_Research/Research/Papers/Nowak-Heisler-
Research-Paper.pdf
29 Nowak, David J. And Gordon M. Heisler. "Air
Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks." National
Recreation and Park Association. https://www.
nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_
and_Research/Research/Papers/Nowak-Heisler-
Research-Paper.pdf
30 Nowak, David J. And Gordon M. Heisler. "Air
Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks." National
Recreation and Park Association. https://www.
nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_
and_Research/Research/Papers/Nowak-Heisler-
Research-Paper.pdf
31 Nowak, David J. And Gordon M. Heisler. "Air
Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks." National
Recreation and Park Association. https://www.
nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_
and_Research/Research/Papers/Nowak-Heisler-
Research-Paper.pdf
32 Nowak, David J. And Gordon M. Heisler. "Air
Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks." National
Recreation and Park Association. https://www.
nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_
and_Research/Research/Papers/Nowak-Heisler-
Research-Paper.pdf
33 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
34 Nowak, David J. And Gordon M. Heisler. "Air
Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks." National
Recreation and Park Association. https://www.
nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_
and_Research/Research/Papers/Nowak-Heisler-
Research-Paper.pdf
35 "Benefits of Trails." Hike Ontario, https://
hikeontario.com/takeahike/benefitsoftrails/
36 "Light Pollution." National Geographic, https://
education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/light-
pollution
37 "Light Pollution." National Geographic, https://
education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/light-
pollution
38 Malik, Sienna. "4 Ways that Noise Pollution Can
Impact Wildlife (and 4 Ways to Help)." Wildlife
Habitat Council, 15 April 2021, https://www.
wildlifehc.org/4-ways-that-noise-pollution-can-
impact-wildlife-and-4-ways-to-help/
39 Malik, Sienna. "4 Ways that Noise Pollution Can
Impact Wildlife (and 4 Ways to Help)." Wildlife
Habitat Council, 15 April 2021, https://www.
wildlifehc.org/4-ways-that-noise-pollution-can-
impact-wildlife-and-4-ways-to-help/
63
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Endnotes
40 Malik, Sienna. "4 Ways that Noise Pollution Can
Impact Wildlife (and 4 Ways to Help)." Wildlife
Habitat Council, 15 April 2021, https://www.
wildlifehc.org/4-ways-that-noise-pollution-can-
impact-wildlife-and-4-ways-to-help/
41 "Top 7 Benefits of Parks and Recreation." Omnify,
https://www.getomnify.com/blog/top-7-benefits-
of-parks-and-recreation
42 Roth, Kevin. "The Economic Impact of Local
Parks." Parks and Recreation Magazine, https://
www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2022/
july/the-economic-impact-of-local-parks/. 16
June 2022.
43 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
44 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
45 "Benefits of Trails." Hike Ontario, https://
hikeontario.com/takeahike/benefitsoftrails/
46 "Economic Benefits of Trails." We Conserve
PA, https://conservationtools.org/guides/97-
economic-benefits-of-trails
47 "Economic Benefits of Trails." We Conserve
PA, https://conservationtools.org/guides/97-
economic-benefits-of-trails
48 "Economic Benefits of Trails." We Conserve
PA, https://conservationtools.org/guides/97-
economic-benefits-of-trails
49 American Trails Staff. "How Trails Benefit the
Environment." American Trails, ("Benefits
of Trails"), https://www.americantrails.org/
resources/how-trails-benefit-the-environment
50 "Benefits and Value of Trails." Columbia Valley
Trail Alliance Greenways, https://www.greenways.
ca/trails-in-the-valley/benefits-value-trails/
51 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
52 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
53 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
54 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
55 Churchich Content Team. "Top Benefits of
Outdoor Play for Children." Chuchich, 15 April
2019, https://churchichrecreation.com/top-
benefits-of-outdoor-play-for-children/
56 Churchich Content Team. "Top Benefits of
Outdoor Play for Children." Chuchich, 15 April
2019, https://churchichrecreation.com/top-
benefits-of-outdoor-play-for-children/
57 The Health and Social Benefits of Recreation.
California State Parks, 2005, https://www.nps.
gov/goga/learn/management/upload/1536_ca-
health_benefits_081505-2.pdf
58 Churchich Content Team. "Top Benefits of
Outdoor Play for Children." Chuchich, 15 April
2019, https://churchichrecreation.com/top-
benefits-of-outdoor-play-for-children/
59 Churchich Content Team. "Top Benefits of
Outdoor Play for Children." Chuchich, 15 April
2019, https://churchichrecreation.com/top-
benefits-of-outdoor-play-for-children/
60 De Lannoy, Louise. "Why Children Need To
Play Outside--Now More Than Ever!" Outdoor
Play Canada, 17 Jan 2022, https://www.
outdoorplaycanada.ca/2022/01/17/why-children-
need-to-play-outside-now-more-than-ever/
61 Churchich Content Team. "Top Benefits of
Outdoor Play for Children." Chuchich, 15 April
2019, https://churchichrecreation.com/top-
benefits-of-outdoor-play-for-children/
64
Endnotes | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
65
62 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
63 "Benefits of Parks in Your Community." Miracle
Recreation, https://www.miracle-recreation.
com/blog/benefits-of-parks-in-your-
community/?lang=can
64 De Lannoy, Louise. "Why Children Need To
Play Outside--Now More Than Ever!" Outdoor
Play Canada, 17 Jan 2022, https://www.
outdoorplaycanada.ca/2022/01/17/why-children-
need-to-play-outside-now-more-than-ever/
65 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
66 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
67 Gies, Erica. "The Health Benefits of Parks." Trust
for the Public Land, https://www.tpl.org/health-
benefits-parks, 2006.
68 The Health and Social Benefits of Recreation.
California State Parks, 2005, https://www.nps.
gov/goga/learn/management/upload/1536_ca-
health_benefits_081505-2.pdf
69 Weir, Kirsten. "Nurtured by Nature." American
Psychological Association, vol. 51, No.3, 1 April
2020, https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/
nurtured-nature
70 Robbins, Jim. "Ecopsychology: How Immersion
in nature Benefits Your Health." Yale Environment
360, 9 Jan 2020, https://e360.yale.edu/features/
ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-
benefits-your-health
71 Netta Weinstein et.al. "Seeing Community for
the Trees: The Links among Contact with Natural
Environments, Community Cohesion, and Crime."
BioScience, Vol. 65, No. 12, 1 December 2015, pp.
1141-1153, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biv151.
72 Gregoire, Carolyn. "Exposure to Nature May
Reduce Crime, Strengthen Communities." The
New Republic, 17 Dec 2015, https://newrepublic.
com/article/126103/exposure-nature-may-
reduce-crime-strengthen-communities
73 "Crime & Public Safety." Green Cities: Good
Health, University of Washington, https://depts.
washington.edu/hhwb/Thm_Crime.html
74 "Benefits of Trails." Hike Ontario, https://
hikeontario.com/takeahike/benefitsoftrails/
75 "Benefits of Trails." Hike Ontario, https://
hikeontario.com/takeahike/benefitsoftrails/
76 "Benefits of Trails." Hike Ontario, https://
hikeontario.com/takeahike/benefitsoftrails/
77 American Trails Staff. "How Trails Benefit the
Environment." American Trails, ("Benefits
of Trails"), https://www.americantrails.org/
resources/how-trails-benefit-the-environment
78 American Trails Staff. "How Trails Benefit the
Environment." American Trails, ("Benefits
of Trails"), https://www.americantrails.org/
resources/how-trails-benefit-the-environment
79 "Benefits of Trails." Hike Ontario, https://
hikeontario.com/takeahike/benefitsoftrails/
80 "Benefits of Trails." Hike Ontario, https://
hikeontario.com/takeahike/benefitsoftrails/
81 Turner-Skoff, Jessica B, Nicole Cavender. "The
Benefits of Trees for Livable and Sustainable
Communities." New Phytologist Foundation,
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/
full/10.1002/ppp3.39
82 Shukla, Shivani. "Racial Disparities in Access
to Public Green Space." Chicago Policy Review,
23 Sept 2020, https://chicagopolicyreview.
org/2020/09/23/racial-disparity-in-access-to-
public-green-space/
65
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Endnotes
66
Appendix A | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
67
APPENDIX A | Consultation Summary
Consultation Sessions
Each of the Mill Creek Nature Park master plan consultation sessions
is described below. The 'Big Ideas' and 'Big Statements' resulting
from consultation and guiding the master plan can be found in
Chapter 2.
Friends of Mill Creek Sessions
The 'Friends' is a community-based organization that provides
advice to Riverview staff and council related to development, activity
programming, sustainability and administrative tasks/actions within
the park. An initial round of general ideas, largely related to landbase
and the committee's role, were provided to the consulting team by
committee members. Ongoing consultation with this committee
included plan review and public session participation.
Walking Workshop
A "walkshop" was held on June 6th with select stakeholders. The
session began in the Town of Riverview Operations Centre, followed
by a walk into the park to continue the discussions. During the
sessions, key themes were addressed, such as trails, as well as park
amenities.
Participants praised the lack of vehicles in the park and the easy
access to trail systems. They felt increasing access to garbage
cans and washrooms would be beneficial, especially when
accompanying young children in the park. It was also mentioned
that children greatly enjoy the historical and informative signage,
and they would like to see more signs about wildlife and signs tied
to natural geography.
Additionally, attendees requested more shared spaces such as
shelters, camping locations, and fire pits, as well as more picnic
tables that are vandal-proof. They also suggested considering
naming the bridges to improve navigation, as well as ensuring
information provided on signage is comprehensive and useful for
various types of park users.
67
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix A
Ski and Bike Workshop
At the beginning of June, a ski and bike workshop was held at the
Town of Riverview Operations Centre followed by a bike ride into
the park to view important natural and activity settings. The session
consisted of a key working group of stakeholders and generated
conversations around the park's signage, trails, entryways, and
connectivity.
Regarding signage, the main issues raised were regarding the rules
of shared trails. Attendees reported word of mouth as the most
effective way to keep walkers off ski trails and felt that signage
should be minimal. Citing there should only be primary signage
in the parks, but there should be gateway signs at entrances with
information about trail difficulty. This could help alleviate the
problem of people socializing and explaining information in the
parking lot.
Concerning trails, the attendees reported hikers enjoy trail
environments that are not completely flat and left somewhat natural
as it makes for a better workout. With that being said, there was
also concern over the maintenance of select trails, particularly by
the water where washouts are occurring. It was also felt that there
is a need for a higher skill set in building and grooming trails that
is currently missing from Riverview. There was also significant
conversation around the sharing of designated trails in the winter.
Truro was given as an example for how fat bikes and skate skiers can
successfully share trails.
When discussing the potential connectivity of Mill Creek, participants
mentioned establishing a club that could entice and connect hikers,
skiers, and bikers, as well as youth. Another suggestion was for a
play park to be installed to draw some of the user groups who go to
Centennial Park to exercise with their families.
Nature Workshop
On June 9th a Nature workshop was held and discussed themes of
PNA (provincial protected natural area), environmental stewardship,
and sharing the park.
Participants discussed the importance of educating the community
about the PNA and recommended this be done through school
environments, a forest master plan, and a nature-society/club
attached to the park. Participants felt that establishing a PNA in
place would show the community wants to protect the park.
There was a strong desire for the park not to be overdeveloped
with trails, and to limit the amount of 3-meter trails in the park.
Maintaining ecological integrity, such as natural wood and stone,
was a significant request, as well as maintaining the environmental
perspective throughout the project with the hopes of not losing sight
that Mill Creek is a nature park first and foremost.
Attendees also felt signage and wayfinding should be kept minimal
throughout the park, while making the signage streamlined and
user-friendly. Any signage implemented in the park should also
account for environmental impact.
68
Appendix A | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
69
School Sessions
The school sessions were held at Riverview East, Riverview Middle,
and Riverview High Schools. Each session opened with a general
discussion of the student's relationship to the park, when and how
they use it and who they use it with. Then, in groups, the students
were given maps and asked to draw and list additions and ideas that
would make Mill Creek a park they want to frequent.
The elementary school students primarily visited the park with
their families and identified the activities of dog walking, running,
sledding, climbing, exploring, geocaching, sightseeing and skating
as activities they partake in Mill Creek. Multiple of them enjoy rolling
down the hills at the park, and one student mentioned his Karate
class sometimes held sessions there. The students also identified
several things they would like to see in the park, such as bathrooms
and a playground. They also mentioned having courts, fields and
rinks for sports, an interactive water feature such as a water park or
access to the waterfall, a designated dog area, and a pond for fishing.
Additional things on their wish list included a Treego-style park
with ziplines, camping sites, free wifi, pools with diving boards, tree
houses, cable cars, climbing rocks, parking for food trucks, and more
grassy green spaces.
The majority of the middle school students present at the
session had visited Mill Creek, and most of them drove there with
their parents. The things at the top of their wish list included a
playground, dog park, locker room, water sports rentals, and
camping sites. The students felt the park would benefit from more
shaded rest areas, benches, and BBQ sites. They also suggested a
bike park, water park, and zip line park. Water was a big theme for
them, whether it was in regard to fishing, swimming and diving,
or kayaking and canoeing. In addition to the physical recreation
infrastructure they mentioned, many students were also keen on
social recreation infrastructure, such as picnic areas, a stage, and a
notice board for community events.
The high school session was conducted with the Outdoor Pursuits
class. Although the class's curriculum focuses on outdoor activities
and survival skills, they do not use the park in class as it is too far
away from the school. However, their teacher mentioned that if it
were possible to set their class in the park, they would. The majority
of the students who visit the park do so in the warmer months, and
typically bike there. Interestingly, many of their ideas for the park
revolved around biking. Students suggested adding bike jumps and
courses to the park, single-track bike trails, and more bike parking
at the entrances. Like the elementary and middle school students,
69
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix A
they also felt the addition of bathrooms was important as well as a
designated camping area. Additional amenities they recommended
were water fountains for dogs and people, a suspension bridge
over the pond, fun fact signage, more fire pits, and benches or a
hut by the pond for tying skates in the winter. In regards to physical
recreation, the students recommended a high ropes course with
employability for summer students, water sport rental equipment,
and a sledding hill. The students were also passionate about social
recreation in the park and recommended a community garden,
planting edible berries and plants, an event space or an outdoor
theatre. Conservation and protection of the natural landscape was
also important to the students who felt the park should be kept
as natural as possible and additions to preserve and support the
wildlife, such as adding beehives and making the water swimmable,
should be considered.
Park Intercepts
Intercepts were conducted at Mill Creek throughout varying hours
of the day. The aim of the intercepts was to connect with trail users
in an informal setting with the hopes of receiving helpful and candid
feedback. Users were asked what they loved about the park, and
what they would like to see in the park. Many people expressed their
appreciation for the park's terrain as well as its quiet and uncrowded
atmosphere. Other things that users cited as things they love about
Mill Creek were the views, the lake, dog-walking, and its multi-
season use. As for things they would like to see in the park, users
cited specific recreational infrastructure such as a disc golf course,
or programming such as kids camps and bird-watching tours. They
also expressed interest in seeing more and better amenities such
as picnic tables, benches, and garbage cans. Improving Mill Creek's
offerings for children was also a common theme by installing a
playground, having easier trails, and having interactive components
along the trails.
Community Open House
At the end of June, a community open house was held at Riverview
Town Hall. Over a six hour period, attendants popped in and shared
their concerns and hopes for the future of Mill Creek Nature Park.
General themes that emerged from the conversations with those in
attendance were dogs, trails, and prioritization of natural landscape.
Many would like to see a solution to the issue of dog owners letting
their dogs off-leash and not cleaning up after them. Suggestions
included increasing the dog licensing fee, having specific off-
leash trails or hours, increasing waste receptacles along trails, and
providing dog bags. In regards to trails, many participants expressed
a desire to improve wayfinding both along the trails, in the park,
at its entrances, and in its parking lots. Installing emergency areas
with secondary access, increasing the number of multi-use trails
and their maintenance budget, establishing a winter equipment
rental system, improving access to the water for sports, and
establishing better viewpoints along the trails. Prioritization of the
natural landscape was also a big concern, with those in attendance
recommending the reduction of ATV noise, protection of big trees,
planting flora and fauna to support pollinators, and naming trails by
nature rather than after people.
70
Appendix A | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
71
Public Survey Results
At the beginning of 2022, the Friends of Mill Creek conducted an
on-line survey, which received 787 responses. Questions asked how
frequently users visit the park, how they get to the park, and where
they enter the park. The survey also asked users what their favourite
activities were in the park, what kinds of programs and services they
would like to see in the park, and what types of trails they would like
to see more and less of in the park.
The most reported activities survey respondents participated in
at Mill Creek were walking/hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, running, and nature appreciation. As for things users
would like to see in the park, many mentioned programs for youth,
teens, families and seniors; organized social gatherings such as
bushwhacking, themed walks, guided walks, and scavenger hunts;
nature conservation and trail maintenance education; designated
dog hours or trail systems; and, a children's play area/ playground.
Regarding recreation infrastructure, users mentioned having a
stocked pond, disc golf, public gardens, docks, camping sites, picnic
areas, a canteen, ziplines, and sports courts or fields.
The responses to the question "What types of trails would you like
to see more, or less of, in the park?" were fairly split. The kinds of
trails people would like to see more of, many people also reported
wanting to see less of. Specific trail requests include loops with
standard distances, dog-friendly ski trails, a trail below the dam
following the creek, a connection between riverfront trails to the
service corridor path leading to the park, wheelchair and stroller-
accessible trails, and Mountain bike flow trails. Other common
requests were more access points and lookout spots, fewer wide and
cleared trails, and single-track trails for both biking and walking. The
most frequently reported kind of trail respondents would like to see
less of was skiing, and many respondents said they didn't want to
see any more trail development.
71
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix A
96 Big Ideas for Mill Creek Nature Park
Following this master plan's consultation sessions, all of the 'Big Ideas' were summarized under the following four categories: Recreational
Activities, Nature and Conservation, Park and Trail Improvements and Amenities, and Inclusive and Accessible, Winter Improvements, Safety
and concerns. The 96 big ideas are summarized on the following pages.
Recreational Activities
»
Implement organized social
gatherings such as bonfires,
stargazing, bushwhacking,
themed walks, scavenger hunts,
and bushcraft classes
»
Develop designated dog areas
»
Designate an Astronomer area
(Urban Dark Sky Site Designation)
»
Hire summer students
»
Consider basketball courts,
pickleball courts, a golf course,
disc golf and a sports field
»
Develop small camping sites and a
winter camping site
»
Work with schools to get students
to the park
»
Offer ski lessons and an outdoor
running clinic
»
Increase awareness of the
responsibilities dog-owners have
when using public recreational
spaces
»
Consider a Forest School
»
Implement dog-specific amenities
such as poop bags and water
stations
»
Develop Youth and Teen Programs
such as Outdoor Adventure Club,
Ski Club, Bike Club, and consider
offering day camps and summer
camps
»
Develop a designated off-leash
trail system for pet owners
»
Consider specific off-leash hours
»
Offer equipment rentals
(paddleboards, skis, kayaks, fat
bikes, etc.)
»
Consider Treego, Zip lines, and
high rope courses
»
Ensure the park is inclusive of
harness dog sports in the winter
(skijoring)
»
Establish an outdoor theatre space
at the lookout where Shakespeare
in the park, ceremonies, and other
small events may take place
»
Grow and promote geocaching in
the park
»
Establish a dog park within Mill
Creek
72
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73
Nature and Conservation
»
Integrate information panels
about plants, trees, and wildlife at
entrances and along trails
»
Offer guided hikes, bird watching
tours, Plant ID and wildlife ID
walks
»
Restrict commercialization of the
park
»
Increase bird feeders and offer
bird feeding stations
»
Leave parts undeveloped
»
Minimize trail development to
leave habitats untouched
»
Protect Mill Creek as an actual
nature park-- do not attempt to
mimic others like Centennial
»
Grow park to help preserve forest
that is threatened by housing
development
»
Prohibit commercial development
such as canteens, rentals, pools,
splash pads, and Treego
»
Consider working with groups
such as Petitcodiac Watershed
Alliance to improve the riparian
zones and green space
»
Install beehives and a community
garden
»
Address the pollutants from
surrounding businesses
»
Consider naming trails after
natural elements instead of
people
»
Create a traditional herbal
medicine garden highlighting
Indigenous heritage
»
Protect Mill Creek as a wifi-free
zone
»
Establish a designated finishing
area
»
Address concern for erosion in
areas of the park
»
Designate an Astronomer area
(Urban Dark Sky Site Designation)
73
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix A
Park and Trail Improvements and Amenities
»
Create a balanced all-season trail
system suitable for all users
»
Install rock climbing and general
play climbing infrastructure
»
Increase the number of multi-use
trails
»
Incorporate a playground, perhaps
in one of the open green spaces by
parking lots
»
Improve access to water for canoe,
kayak and water sports
»
Add a dock for boats and canoes
and kayaks
»
Develop loops with standardized
distances (5km, 8km, 10km)
»
Consider an entire walking trail
around the perimeter of the park
»
Install single-track biking and
walking trails
»
Explore trails with destinations
such as the waterfall, waterfront,
and lookout, and develop trails
along the water
»
Increase the presence of narrow
walking trails in the forest rather
than the wide-open tree-cleared
paths
»
Establish a cohesive trail system
that connects Riverfront to Mill
Creek to Dobson to West Riverview
»
Increase mountain bike trails
»
Install adult and kiddie pools
»
Develop a designated running trail
»
Provide access to the reservoir
»
Consider a bridge over the pond
»
Finish incomplete trails
»
Increase the difficulty of trails
»
Stock the pond with fish
74
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75
Inclusive and Accessible, Winter Improvements, Safety and concerns
»
Incorporate specific signage for
winter trail use
»
Increase the presence of benches
and incorporate inclusive seating
as picnic tables are not accessible
for everyone to sit at
»
Offer un-groomed snowshoe trails
»
Install lighting in parking lots
»
Add a crosswalk at Gunningsville
»
Prioritize investigation and
prevention of Blue-Green Algae
blooms
»
Designate a section of the pond for
public skating and ice hockey
»
Implement support for people
with mobility issues (walking
poles, walking buddies, golf carts)
»
Provide hockey nets at the pond
»
Expand parking at Runnymeade
entrance
»
Improve winter trail conditions for
all users
»
Install guide wires for the visually
impaired
»
Consider a route accessible by car
»
Consider a means to check the
winter trail status online
»
Develop a boardwalk for increased
accessibility
»
Vary the difficulty of ski trails
»
Install a safety rail on the dam side
park entrance
»
Prioritize a balance between
natural and accessible
»
Establish a healing forest to have
a natural space dedicated to
reconciliation
»
Select trails to be accessible for
strollers
»
Develop an app for visualizing all
the trail networks and calculating
distance and time
»
Groom trails more quickly
»
Consider Food Truck parking
locations
»
Install protected fat bike and
snowshoe trails
»
Link schools to the park
»
Improve parking at the Robertson
parking entrance
»
Increase options for winter
walking (a 3km loop would be
ideal)
»
Install signs at the Roundabout
»
Establish safe and reliable active
transportation routes connecting
Mill Creek to the rest of Riverview
»
Install a hut/shelter/benches by
the pond for tying skates in the
winter
»
Improve and increase parking
»
Provide lighting along specific
trails for evening access and
increased safety
»
Establish a sledding hill
»
Offer a help/safety service in the
event of injury or getting lost
and consider wifi hotspots for
people to access in the event of an
emergency
»
Consider ice protection for the
new bridges across the creek
»
Improve maintenance standard
»
Consider adding emergency areas
and second access points
»
Decentralize skiing in winter and
decrease the amount of ski trails
75
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix A
76
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
77
LAND HOLDINGS BRIEF
2023 MILL CREEK NATURE PARK MASTER PLAN
This appendix describes an analysis of the lands within and adjacent
to the Town of Riverview's Mill Creek Nature Park to identify what a
modified park boundary should look like, and why. It is important to
note that this is a master-plan level effort that includes the creation
of forest cover mapping that identifies typologies and human impacts
on baseline park ecological systems. Further analysis is required
as master plan implementation proceeds; however, the analysis
provides a sufficient rationale to support landbase decisions.
APPENDIX B | Land Holdings Brief
77
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this appendix is to develop an overview of the
existing conditions of the landscape and forest conditions at and
surrounding Mill Creek Nature Park, and use that information to
inform the Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan, as well as future
expansion of the park. As a piece of a master plan document, we
categorize the opportunities and potential issues in regards to the
ecology of this beautiful park. This is both a visionary document,
and the preliminary stage of a landscape inventory that can inform
detailed park design.
The approach taken is far-reaching in that it looks at land parcels that
are not currently part of the park but could become part of a future
Regional Park. This broader scope also allows for an understanding of
the development pressures facing the park, its role in the greater Mill
Creek Watershed, and how land acquisition or programming could be
used to buffer and protect key ecological assets within the park.
The mapping work undertaken towards this inventory included a
review of orthophoto imagery of the park and surrounding area, a
review of resources available through GeoNB, including topographic
contours and wetland classification, as well as direct observation of
the landscape through drone aerial transects collected by the project
team in early September 2022. The mapping produced as a result of
this work should be considered a living document, and it is expected
that future work will increase the resolution of the landscape
inventory. In particular, geo-referenced site visits and incorporating
information from community consultation are envisioned as the
next steps.
METHODS
A base map of the park and surrounding area was prepared for
baseline analysis. This resource included high-resolution orthophoto
imagery, topographic contours, hillshade modelling, wetland
and waterbody information, land parcel boundaries, as well as
trail information. Observations of the site were made by cross-
referencing high-resolution aerial imagery on the base map with low-
flying drone video captured during September 2022. This provided
the project team with the opportunity to make direct observations
of the site, which were translated into polygons on the base map.
These polygons should be understood as landscape areas with
similar characteristics. Polygons were given a landscape designation
of Orange, Green or Purple based on their ecological characteristics,
vulnerabilities and potential to help guide the recommendations
of the master plan. These categories are described in more detail in
Landscape Inventory and Polygon Descriptions.
One of the strengths of this data collection method is that it allows
for current estimates about the level of human impact and qualities
of the site. As high-level observational work, this project is also able
to identify areas where available information is lacking, and more
detailed information is required as master plan implementation
proceeds.
78
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
79
Figure 1 | DRONE FLIGHT PATHS - SEPTEMBER 2022
79
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B
Step One (Figure 2) - Flight line 13 is mapped on
the park base map.
FIGURE 2 | STEP ONE
FIGURE 3 | STEP TWO
METHODOLOGY DESCRIPTION
A step-by-step description of the analysis methodology is described below (using line 13 as an example).
Step Two (Figure 3) - The flight path is cross-
referenced with high-resolution aerial imagery.
80
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
81
FIGURE 4 | STEP THREE
FIGURE 5 | STEP FOUR
Step Three (Figure 4.0) - Direct observation and
categorization of land characteristics is made
by viewing drone footage, cross-referenced with
other available data.
Step Four (Figure 5.0) - Example of Noted
Features Visible on Drone Footage.
81
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B
FIGURE 6 | STEP FIVE
Step Five (Figure 6.0) - Observations from the
drone footage and base imagery are mapped
into polygons on the base map.
The next steps for this work should include site visits to verify aerial observations, and
the layering of forest stand and soil information from additional GeoNB resources to
refine polygon shapes.
82
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
83
FIGURE 7 | BROAD LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISTICS AT MILL CREEK NATURE PARK
EXISTING FOREST COVER MAP
This map (Figure
7.0) broadly
categorizes
the landscape
characteristics
at Mill Creek
Nature Park and
of the surrounding
landscape to inform
the programming,
protection and
expansion of
the park space.
Descriptions of
polygons and
features are
provided in the next
section.
83
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B
LANDSCAPE DESIGNATIONS:
ORANGE: AREAS FLAGGED FOR
POTENTIAL ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
»
Area likely to have higher ecological
integrity.
»
Intact mature forest, floodplain, bog
or wetland, meadow.
»
Area which may be a destination or
desirable park feature because of its
ecological characteristics.
»
Area may be sensitive and require
a higher level of protection to
preserve ecological integrity.
GREEN: STABLE AREA OR AREA
OBSERVED TO HAVE SOME IMPACT
»
has likely experienced some
disturbance.
»
Area of successional forest, forest
replanting.
»
Area of transition; appears
ecology could be improved
through intervention, or it could be
transitioned to other uses with less
ecological loss than orange areas
(would have to be confirmed with
site visit).
PURPLE: DISTURBED LANDSCAPE
»
Disturbed landscape, appears to
have limited intact ecology
»
Road, trail, cleared area, building,
parking lot, active industrial or
agricultural uses.
84
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
85
FLIGHT LINE NO.1
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
1
Orange
Large area of intact mixed coniferous forest,
no visible trails
2
Green
Area of lower density successional forest,
some clearings
3
Purple
Cleared area, road, parking lot, bare soil,
hydro corridor, utility station
4
Green
Mixed forest, smaller patch size surrounded
by roads
5
Green
Area of successional forest adjacent utility
station
6
Orange
Smaller area of intact mixed coniferous
forest, no visible trails.
7
Green
Small area group of mature coniferous trees,
isolated by hydro corridor and roads.
8
Purple
Trail or road.
9
Orange
Large area of intact mixed forest, no visible
trails. Includes watercourse and wetland
area.
FOREST COVER INVENTORY
The following table provides descriptions of features identified in the landscape polygons. It is important to note that not all flights lines
are described in this section; however, all landscape polygons are described. Descriptions for each flight line is not required to complete all
polygon descriptions.
FLIGHT LINE NO.2
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
15
Orange
Large area of mixed mature forest. Contains
slope down to waterway and numerous
trails.
16
Orange
Large area of mixed mature forest. Contains
few trails and appears buffered from major
roads.
17
Purple
Cleared areas and trail.
18
Orange
Area of mixed mature forest north of river.
Contains slope down to water.
19
Green
Area of successional forest with scarification
tracks visible in aerial. Appears to contain
trails or logging roads, base data indicates
possible ski trails (north of main trail).
20
Green
Area of successional forest with scarification
tracks south of road, adjacent river.
21
Orange
Mature treed slope down to river, north side,
appears to contain some super canopy trees.
59
Orange
Treed slope down to creek.
85
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B
FLIGHT LINE NO.3
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
10
Green
Area of successional forest and vegetation.
May have been replanted (scarification
visible in aerial). Possible creek or waterway.
11
Orange
Area of mixed forest, appears slightly
younger than #13, more open areas. Appears
to contain creek or waterway, and possible
old trails.
12
Green
Successional area, possibly wetland,
primarily deciduous.
13
Orange
Mixed forest, no trails visible. Large road
on west side, otherwise buffered from
disturbance.
14
Purple
Hydro corridor.
FLIGHT LINE NO.15
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
29
Green
Mixed coniferous and hardwood successional
forest, includes dirt track and some possible
trails or regeneration after clearing.
30
Orange
Bogs or fens.
31
Orange
Area appears to be primarily coniferous
forest, some variation in density and size.
32
Orange
Large area of mixed age primarily coniferous
forest, possible informal trail.
33
Orange
Mature mixed coniferous forest on steep
slope to water course.
34
Orange
Mature mixed coniferous forest, may include
some super canopy trees.
35
Orange
Linear ribbon of deciduous trees, may
include seasonal water course or trail.
36
Orange
Mature mixed coniferous forest, may include
some super canopy trees.
37
Orange
Mixed primarily coniferous forest, no visible
trails. Contains some lower areas that appear
to have younger growth.
FLIGHT LINE NO.13
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
22
Purple
Cleared hydro corridor which meets trail,
transitions to combined trail and hydro
corridor.
23
Purple
Cleared area adjacent hydro corridor and
slope to river. Potential viewpoint.
24
Orange
Mature trees on slope down to river. Adjacent
to residential area.
86
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
87
FLIGHT LINE NO.14
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
25
Orange
Mature mixed trees on slope down to river.
Higher deciduous presence.
26
Orange
Mature forest, located on peninsula between
waterways.
27
Orange
Mature trees on slope down to river.
28
Orange
Mature trees on slope down to river, some
areas which appear to be lower density
or deciduous stands. Dirt track forms SE
boundary.
FLIGHT LINE NO.16
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
38
Orange
Mixed age coniferous and hardwood forest,
includes some areas of lower density and
regeneration.
39
Purple
Cleared land (blueberry farm?)
40
Green
Isolated stand of mature trees.
41
Green
Isolated stand of mature trees.
42
Purple
Cleared land (blueberry farm?)
43
Green
Possible trails or disturbance.
44
Orange
Wetland area.
45
Orange
Mature coniferous forest, may include some
super canopy trees towards east side.
46
Orange
Mixed primarily deciduous forest with
watercourse and wetland influence. Possible
red maple presence.
FLIGHT LINE NO.11
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
47
Purple
Road/hydro corridor.
48
Green
Isolated stand of mature trees.
49
Purple
Fenced industrial yard.
50
Purple
Cleared trail and trailhead.
51
Orange
Mature mixed forest with numerous trails.
52
Green
Area of gentler slope down to river with
numerous trails and possible access points.
Appears somewhat swampy, likely good bird
habitat.
53
Orange
Mature primarily coniferous forest on steep
slope down to river.
54
Orange
Mature primarily coniferous forest on steep
slope down to river.
55
Green
Deciduous ribbon through primarily
coniferous forest, appears to be along trail.
FLIGHT LINE NO.4
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
60
Green
Successional area with even mix of
deciduous and coniferous trees, trail passes
through.
61
Orange
Area of primarily mature coniferous trees,
trail passes through.
62
Green
Area of lower density and younger mixed
coniferous/deciduous. May include areas of
reforestation.
87
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B
FLIGHT LINE NO.8
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
63
Orange
Mixed mature deciduous and coniferous
forest, contains some lower density areas
and possible waterway.
64
Orange
Primarily deciduous low-lying area, may
have swamp or fen character.
65
Orange
Smaller grouping of mixed mature forest.
66
Green
Cleared area along Robertson St,. possibly
meadow.
67
Orange
Mixed forest, central area appears to be more
mature conifer, with increase deciduous
presence around periphery.
68
Purple
Cleared area at intersection of paved roads
(visible in drone footage only, not in ortho)
69
Purple
Robertson St., and cleared land adjacent for
hydro.
70
Orange
Mixed mature forest buffering waterway.
Slopes towards water, and deciduous
presence increases towards water. Contains
some large conifers and lower density areas.
71 and 72
Green
Isolated patches of mixed coniferous and
deciduous trees.
82
Orange
Potential wetland area.
FLIGHT LINE NO.12
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
56
Purple
Dam, cleared area for lookout, construction
area below dam.
57
Green
Isolated stand of mature trees around
lookout area.
58
Green
Area of mixed coniferous/deciduous forest
in area of concentrated trails, bridge across
creek.
88
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
89
FLIGHT LINE NO.10
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
73
Purple
Trailhead and cleared area for hydro corridor,
dirt track. Waterway passes through.
74
Green
Mixed deciduous forest located on table
lands between Operations Center and slope
down to water. Includes trail.
75
Orange
Mixed mature coniferous/deciduous forest
on slope down to waterway.
76
Orange
Low-lying floodplain adjacent waterway.
Mixed deciduous and coniferous tree cover.
77
Orange
Steep slope down to waterway, high density
of mature conifer forest cover. Limited trail
impact visible (also shown in Flight Path 12).
FLIGHT LINE NO.9
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
78
Purple
Cleared area for hydro corridor, dirt track.
Standing water and washout visible in drone
footage.
79
Green
Flat area of younger and lower density forest.
80
Orange
Mature primarily coniferous forest on ridge
before slope down to waterway.
81
Orange
Mature primarily coniferous forest on ridge
before slope down to waterway.
FLIGHT LINE NO.20
Polygon No. Designation
Comments
83
Orange
Wetland.
89
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B
PROPOSED LAND BASE
A future Mill Creek Nature Park land base is proposed based on the
following four statements.
1. The existing land base and future recreation complex
function as the activity heart and gateway of the Mill Creek
Nature Park;
2. Forest cover mapping, when combined with topographic
mapping, identifies where significant water's edge habitat
should be retained to ensure the health of the park's central
waterway (see Figure 8.0);
3. Topographic mapping illustrates where significant landform
areas, such as contributing ravines, should be retained
within the park boundary to ensure core watercourse health
(Figure 9.0); and,
4. Although adjacent lands that fall within significant habitats
will be developed, special sustainable planning approaches
to land development will ensure the health of the central
watercourse and parkland base health.
Figures 8.0 and 9.0 (next two pages) illustrate an updated future Mill
Creek Nature Park boundary based on the above statements. This
significantly expands the existing park area from 328 acres to 634
acres. Thus, the park becomes the region's second-largest municipal
park, and the region's second-largest nature park. Additionally, the
park becomes the largest regional park designed for contemporary
and mixed-use passive and active nature interactions.
LAND USE PLANNING
As mentioned, areas outside of the park boundary require special
sustainable planning approaches to support central watercourse
health. Thus, special sustainable development planning district
guidelines should be established that protect slopes, significant
forest habitats and other natural features while extending ecological
and functional park corridors into adjacent neighbourhoods. These
guidelines will apply conservation requirements beyond provincial
watercourse and wetland setbacks.
90
Appendix B | Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan
91
EASTERN BOUNDARY LAND
TO BE ACQUIRED
EXISTING TOWN-OWNED LAND
TO BE ADDED TO THE PARK
WESTERN BOUNDARY LAND TO BE ACQUIRED
EXISTING PARK LANDS
FIGURE 8 | PROPOSED LAND BASE
91
Mill Creek Nature Park Master Plan | Appendix B