On Wednesday, October 25 we decided to explore out the fall colours in the Macdonald Wood Park-Mack Laing Park area of
the city of Comox. With the period of sunny fall weather holding we were on a
quest to see the fall colours in a number of places in the Comox Valley. This
trail is nice because it follows a loop and explores a number of different
habitats. We parked on Balmoral Ave at a small 3 car parking area at
coordinates 49 40.431 N, 124 54.569 W. From there we entered Macdonald Wood
Park and walked toward the ocean. Once at the ocean there is a very pleasant
board walk with nice benches and an interpretative sign placed there by Project
Watershed. Evidently this area of the foreshore is composed of a large midden indicating that the local First Nations have used this area from 1000 BC onward. The board walk is sheltered
by trees and this spot is worth knowing about even if you just come down to sit
on the benches and look out at Comox Harbour.
Heather reading the Project Watershed interpretative sign |
From the end of the board walk the “trail”
follows the coastline and after 200 meters heads back into the forest at Mack
Laing’s old house. There are large signs that interpret various aspects of Mack
Laing Park and the trail follows scenic Brooklyn Creek. The fall colours are good along Brooklyn Creek but not as spectacular as the ones at Millard Creek
we had walked a few days earlier. The trail winds toward Balmoral Ave where a
set of stairs brings you to the road. From there we walked back to our car. The
total loop is about 2.5 km and suited to a wide range of walkers. This route
makes a pleasant walk and we recommend it for its variety of habitats.
The colours along Brooklyn Creek are prime at the moment |
What a beautiful day you had Keith. More information on Macdonald Wood Park or the topics on the sign is available at projectwatershed.ca/macdonald-wood-park.
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