Nechako Riverside Park Construction
Work is underway to construct a new park near Foothills Bridge on the Nechako river. The park will include a new riverfront picnic area, riverfront access, trails, and an accessible parking lot, outhouse, and upper picnic area.
A design of the park is available and construction is scheduled for completion later this year.
Prince George Nature Parks
Prince George's nature parks provide vital destinations to connect people with nature and to preserve biodiversity – a necessity in protecting habitats and ecosystems. The City's 13 nature parks - covering a total area of 850 hectares - range from riverfront areas to lakefront or forested destinations. Many of these parks have soft-surfaced trails, pedestrian bridges, impressive viewpoints, and site amenities. In addition, interpretive signage - located along many nature park trails - provides information at points of interest.
Cottonwood Island Nature Park
Cottonwood Island Nature Park is year-round destination for residents and tourists alike.
The 32-hectare park is a starting point for - or point of interest on - the 11km Heritage River Trail System and connects a number of parks along the Nechako and Fraser rivers. The trails wind along the Nechako River's shoreline and lead into a forest containing many century-old trees.
One of the park's many highlights include a series of tree bark carvings on mature cottonwood trees by Prince George resident Elmer Gunderson. The carvings of faces and other subjects were sponsored by the City in 2005 and 2016 with a new set of eight added 2017.
Other Cottonwood Island Nature Park features and amenities include:
- Canoe/Boat launch
- Viewing platforms
- Picnic shelter
- Multi-Use trails
- Outhouse washrooms
Cottonwood Island Nature Park has multiple access points off River Road, which can be reached from Highway 16 near the Yellowhead Bridge and Grand Trunk Railroad Bridge on the east side of Prince George.
Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve
Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve is located in the Hart off Highway 97 North and Kelly Road North. The Nature Reserve's unique trail system is suspended on a plank walkway over the lake, which gives visitors a chance to observe plant an aquatic life up close. Features and amenities at Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve include:
- A fishing dock and canoe launch.
- Rustic, lakeside trails and boardwalks.
- A picnic and old homestead site.
- Interpretive signage at points of interest.
- Outhouse washrooms.
Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve is possible thanks to the support of the Ivor Killy families, the Nature Trust of British Columbia, Employment & Immigration Canada, and the City of Prince George.
For more information:
Forests For The World
Forests For The World is a 106-hectare demonstration forest with 15 km of nature trails. It is located on Cranbrook Hill at the end of Kueng Road just off Foothills Boulevard and Cranbrook Hill Road. It is adjacent to the University of Northern British Columbia and can also be accessed from the Greenway parking lot at UNBC.
The park was created to commemorate the City of Prince George's 70th Anniversary and to celebrate the City's participation in Expo 86. The undulating topography and elevated high point of land (at approximately 880m) at Forests for The World provides scenic views of the Prince George area and many of its trails are multi-use and feature interpretive routes.
Features and amenities include:
- Two (2) viewing lookout points.
- Fishing dock
- Fifteen (15) kilometres of hiking trails.
- BBQ and fire pits with picnic shelters.
- Multi-use trails with interpretive signage.
- Outhouse washrooms
- Connection to the Cranbrook Hill Greenway and Shane Lake.
Shane Lake is a short, 10-minute walk from the main Forests For The World parking lot. This small lake is features a picnic area, dock, and observation deck.
The Cranbrook Hill Greenway, a year-round multi-use trail system with over 25 km of trails is connected to Forests For The World.
LC Gunn Park
LC Gunn Park meanders along the bluffs of the Fraser River through a forest with various viewpoints of the city. The trail follows a similar route travelled by earlier surveyors who were planning the railway line. Dog walkers, joggers, and mountain bikers share the rustic trails at LC Gunn Park. The park can be reached by following Highway 16 East across the Yellowhead Bridge, turning right onto Guay Road, and following the gravel road to the parking lot where the entrance is located.
Features and amenities include:
- Three and a half (3.5) kilometres of rustic trails and elevated viewpoints.
- Multi-use trails with interpretive signage.
- Outhouse washrooms
For more information:
Moore's Meadow Nature Park
Moore's Meadow is a 60-hectare nature park situated within a glacial kettle - a unique geological feature formed after the ice age - and named after adventurer Charles W. Moore. The park boasts a forested hillside area that provides a viewpoint for many different ecosystems, including a large meadow area at the bottom of the glacial kettle. The meadow area can be accessed by a five-kilometre rustic trail system that is popular with birdwatchers, hikers, and dog walkers.
Moore's Meadow is one of the City's three off-leash pet areas. Pet-owners must note the trails in the park are on-leash for pets, while the open meadow is off-leash. See the Pets and Off-Leash Areas page for more information.
Features and amenities include:
- Five (5) kilometres of rustic trails.
- Unique glacial kettle landforms.
- Open meadows
- Off-leash pet area
- Outhouse washrooms
Moore's Meadow Nature Park is located off Foothills Boulevard and south of Otway Road. It is part of the City's Centennial Trail System.
Nechako Riverside Park (Coming Soon)
Nechako Riverside Park will be an upgraded nature park located at 2042 Foothills Boulevard. This undeveloped, 9.3 hectare park is situated along the Nechako River north of Foothills Boulevard Bridge at a current popular riverfront destination. The development of the park will include:
- A formal trail to the lower riverfront area.
- An open lawn with added landscaping and picnic area furnished with new picnic tables and seating.
- A new accessible parking lot off Foothills Boulevard with solar lightning and gated access.
- Riverfront access for paddlers and tubers.
Park construction will start this Summer with an anticipated opening of mid to late Fall 2018.
Other Nature Parks
Bittner Park
| 5235 Giscome Road |
Cranbrook Hill Greenway
| 850 River Road
|
Hazelton Park
| 805 La Salle Avenue
|
Hudson's Bay Wetland Nature Park
| 2232 Queensway Street
|
McMillan Creek Fishing Park
| 184 PG Pulpmill Road
|
Wilson Park
| 1010 Ospika Boulevard |
Book an Event at a City Park
Residents may submit an application to reserve space at City parks for large and small events.
Staying Safe While Enjoying Nature
Get the most out of Prince George's great outdoors by treating the wilds and wildlife with respect. Pick up some tips on how to be
Bear Aware and learn ways to keep wildlife - and residents - safe.