Parksville is a city on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada.
Dubbed by some as the Jewel of Vancouver Island, Parksville is on Highway 19A, 37 kms. north of Nanaimo, between the Englishman River and French Creek.
As of the 2010 Census, the population is 12,000.
Parksville is best known for its large, sandy beaches. The city’s best-known event is the world famous sandcastle-building competition in the summer.
Local media, businesses and civil services frequently refer to Parksville, with it’s adjacent municipalities, as the community of “Oceanside”, typically including Qualicum Beach, French Creek, Coombs, Hilliers, Errington and Nanoose.
Spanish explorers were in the area as early as 1791. Their maps called the Englishman River “Rio de Grullas”, the River of Cranes.
From Vancouver Island Hiking to Spa Relaxing
Qualicum Beach, Parksville and the surrounding area offer an incredible array of activities for every snowbird from outdoor lovers to bookworms.
Your rental at Sunrise Ridge includes complimentary passes to the Fitness Connection, a complete fitness facility with a full line of cardio equipment.
Vancouver Island Hiking, Fishing, Beachcombing and Birding
Sandy Parksville beaches are great all year round for beachcombing, strolling and birdwatching. People on Vancouver Island enjoy fishing, sailing, kayaking and boating throughout the year as well.
For hiking, Vancouver Island’s regional and provincial parks offer incredible forests, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, mountains and beaches. Renowned Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Park is home to forest giants – Douglas firs more than 1000 years old and ancient Western red cedars line a network of trails.
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park features incredible limestone caves, including Riverbend Cave, 384 m (1270 ft) long with a seven-storey waterfall. The park is open year round offering winter caving adventures, as well as Vancouver Island hiking and boating activities.
Milner Gardens and Woodland is a 70 acre estate with walking paths, and Butterfly World and Gardens has Canada’s largest exhibit of orchids.
Qualicum Beach/Parksville Village Scene
Sunrise Ridge is surrounded by small villages filled with restaurants, arts and craft galleries, shops, farmer’s markets, book stores, libraries and cultural opportunities. Local recreation centres offer a variety of classes as well as skating rinks.
Experience the Beach Lifestyle
Discovered for our beaches, Treasured for our lifestyle
With over 7.5 km of sandy shoreline, a variety of Vancouver Island golf courses, a mild year round climate, a great selection of parks, trails galore, an abundance of wildlife, world famous Vancouver Island fishing, outstanding Parksville spas, and superb shopping opportunities on every street corner. Parksville has it all!
Parksville Community Park
Featuring two ball fields and a lacrosse box with public tennis courts, a curling rink, concession stand, an awesome BMX/Skateboard Park, two quality conditioned beach volleyball areas, and an incredible children’s playground with Vancouver Island’s greatest Water Spray.
Fitness Connection
Largest most complete fitness facility on central Vancouver Island, with a full line of cardiovascular equipment that includes Stairmasters, lifecycles, cross trainers, treadmills, rowing machines and stationary bikes, free weights and Apex weight training equipment. A 10,000 square foot facility just for fitness.
Provincial Parks:
Rathtrevor Beach
English River Falls & Little Qualicum River Falls
Cathedral Grove
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
Spider Lake Provincial Park
Rosewall Creek Provincial Park
Regional Parks:
Horne Lake Regional Park
Mount Arrowsmith Regional Park
Top Bridge Regional Park
Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park
Of Natural Interest:
Hamilton Marsh
Rhododendron Lake
Milner Gardens & Woodlands
Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery
The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
The World Parrot Refuge
Local History:
Craig Heritage Park
St. Anne’s Anglican Church
Golf, Golf & More Golf: (Vancouver Island golf courses with travel times)
Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club, 38.4 km, 31 minutes
Eaglecrest Golf Course, 9.3 km, 14 minutes
Fairwinds Golf Course, 14.0 km, 14 minutes
Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, 19.9 km, 17 minutes
Morningstar International Golf Course, 9.3 km, 14 minutes
Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course, 20.1 km, 17 minutes
Festivals & Events:
Every August the Parksville Beach Festival is held over a three week period which includes Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition, beach volleyball & croquet tournaments, a bike-a-thon, a classic car show and more.
Vancouver Island Fishing & Boat Launch Areas:
Beachcomber Marina
French Creek Marina
Schooner Cove Marina
Deep Bay Marina
Galleries:
Arrowsmith Potters Guild
Earth Attitudes Ceramics
Major and Monk Art Gallery & Studio
Shining Sun Garden Works
Oceanside Place
Main Features include Two NHL rinks and Leisure Ice Sheet, Multipurpose Floor, Spectator Seating, Multipurpose Room, Meeting Room, Concession, & skate shop.
Ravensong Aquatic Centre
Features a 25-metre Olympic short course pool, a leisure pool and a whirlpool as well as a Nordic dry sauna and a Finnish steam room.
Coombs Village
Well-known Coombs village is a unique location with numerous gift shops and craft outlets. Its Old Country Market is a great place to pick up some delicious food from their extensive bakery, produce selection, and large deli with products from nearby and around the world. Features several heritage buildings, mini golf, unique galleries as well as numerous gift shops and craft outlets. Summer is the time for “Old West” activities Bull-o-Rama, a fiddle jamboree, a bluegrass festival and a 2-day rodeo, even a “Just for the Heck Of It” parade.
Parksville Spas:
Aqua Terre Spa at Pacific Shores
The Grotto Spa at Tigh Na Mara