The Comox Valley Regional District and partners are celebrating the re-opening of a park on Comox Road, and its new name: qapoje Park.

qapoje means “spring salmon in a creek flowing south”. It is the traditional term for Coho Creek, which flows from Back Road, under Comox Road, through the park and into the estuary.

K'ómoks First Nation Chief Nicole Rempel notes the area was part of a thriving cultural landscape where K'ómoks people lived, harvested, fished, and cared for the estuary.

She says renaming the park and revitalizing the shoreline honours that history while creating new opportunities for people to learn about the connection between K'ómoks First Nation and the lands and waters.

The shoreline restoration and park redesign began in August 2024, and included the removal of invasive species, creation of new estuarine habitat and fish channel, shoreline stabilization, installation of new boardwalk and viewing platform.

It also includes a new pathway along the park's shoreline, reconstructed parking and installation of interpretive signage.

The new qapoje Park was made possible by a $1.14 million grant funded by the Province of B.C. and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund's Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation stream.

This stream supports projects that reduce flood risk and helps communities adapt to climate change.

The shoreline improvements are designed to stabilize the foreshore and reduce flood risk along Comox Road.

Project partners included the K’ómoks Guardians Watchmen, the Stewardship Centre for BC, Project Watershed, Guardians of Mid-Island Estuaries, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

For more information, visit Comox Valley Regional District.