Editor’s Note:

I used to drive by MacDonald Wood Nature Park and wonder what could possibly be behind those trees. Good or bad, I eventually decided we needed to expand our trail repertoire and just pulled over one day to discover one of the most lovely slices of the Valley during any season.

In fact, we spend more time here in the Winter than any other time of the year for one simple reason, the bird watching at this spot is spec-tacular.

In the Summer, this locale is one of the prime spots for collecting buckets of tiny snails (make sure you don’t take them home with you, though) and the occasional score of the magical and giant moon snail.

One of the best things about this spot is that, at low tide, you can walk the tidal flats all the way to The Filberg, stop for lunch at the Tea House, and wander back through Mack Laing Nature Park, up along Brooklyn Creek to the stairs that lead to Balmoral Avenue and, within a block, the MacDonald Wood trail head.

An early fave, MacDonald Wood Nature Park was one of the best flukes we ever stumbled upon.

Here’s my original post:

May 1, 2007

Tucked away above the shores of a quiet Comox neighborhood, there lives a tiny nature park big on beautiful.

We’ve driven by it on the way out to Pt. Holmes or the Goose Spit about a million times and, when we finally stopped to check out MacDonald Wood Nature Park this Spring, we discovered a quiet sliver of friendly birds, roaming deer and groomed trails that make for a leisurely afternoon walk leading right out to the shoreline.

The 9-acre conservation area that begins at the corner of Balmoral and Croteau roads is the site of the remnants of the Great Comox Midden and some of the largest cedars remaining in the Valley grow here. The fawn lily, skunk cabbage and other lush plant life make this remnant of what were once wide-ranging coastal forests peaceful and lovely to wander through.

The flat, well-groomed trails are great for tiny legs and off-road strollers, and they lead to a lovely patch of aspen/cottonwood trees and a meandering boardwalk path which runs through a coastal marsh out to a small beach and some incredible views.

I love this spot for its tranquility, easy access and incredible First Nations heritage. It’s perfect for an afternoon walk, a learning adventure (the Comox library has wonderful resources on the history of this area of Comox), or leisurely hanging out as the boardwalk has several benches located perfectly for sunsets, tides and general creature watching.

There are also a few picnic tables, but no washrooms. So, make a pit stop before hitting the trail and make sure to check out MacDonald Wood the next time a nature walk is on the agenda.

DETAILS:
Where: MacDonald Wood
Directions: Take Comox Road out to Balmoral, make a right and head to Croteau Road (on your right). There’s a large sign marking the park entrance. A small parking area is along Croteau Road.