Courtenay Nature Park Renamed

A four-acre forested area on the corner of Lerwick Road, Malahat Drive, and Crown Isle Drive has been formally renamed “Stan Hagen Nature Park”

A four-acre forested area on the corner of Lerwick Road, Malahat Drive, and Crown Isle Drive has been formally renamed “Stan Hagen Nature Park” in a dedication ceremony yesterday, , hosted by the City of Courtenay and attended by members of the Hagen family.

The Honourable Stanley B. Hagen served as MLA for the Comox riding until his passing in 2009.

The park was originally assigned the temporary name “150 Year Grove” when first established in 2009 in honour of B.C.’s 150 year celebrations. The decision to rename the park in honour of Hagen was made by Courtenay Council in 2010, recognizing his long-running involvement as a community leader and participation in parks, heritage, and community matters.

Hagen served the residents of British Columbia in ten cabinet portfolios. To represent the ministries Hagen served, the City of Courtenay planted ten dogwood trees in the park.

Hagen served as MLA for the Comox riding from 1986 to 1991, and from 2001 until 2009.

His legacy includes the establishment of the Central Coast Land Resource Management Plan, which laid the foundation for the creation of 24 new conservancies in B.C., protecting over 500,000 hectares of land including the home of the Spirit Bear.