Helliwell Provincial Park
Provincial park in British Columbia, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Helliwell Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada located on a headland at the northeast end of Hornby Island.
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| Helliwell Provincial Park | |
|---|---|
The cliffs of Helliwell Provincial Park | |
  Location in British Columbia  Location in Comox Valley Regional District | |
 Interactive map of Helliwell Provincial Park | |
| Location | Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nearest city | Courtenay |
| Coordinates | 49°31′00″N 124°36′20″W[2] |
| Area | 2,872 hectares (7,100 acres)[3] |
| Established | September 16, 1966[2] |
| Governing body | BC Parks |
| Website | bcparks |
The land, formerly a farm belonging to the Acton family, was donated by Mr. J. L. Helliwell.[4] The park was established by Order in Council 2681 on September 16, 1966 and expanded several times thereafter.[2] Its 2,872 hectares (7,100 acres) now include Flora Islet and part of Lambert Channel.[3]
There are facilities for hiking, canoeing, picnicking, sightseeing, and scuba diving. Restroom facilities consist of four pit toilets.[3]
The park has large old-growth Douglas-fir trees and rare Garry oak ecosystems. A trail loops around the bluffs that overlook the Strait of Georgia and links-up with Tribune Bay. The Garry oak meadow ecosystem is one of the many microclimates located within British Columbia and is considered an endangered habitat.[5]
The cliffs in the southern part of the park form a unique microclimate that local community groups are attempting to protect [citation needed]. These cliffs are also nesting areas for the pelagic cormorant.[6]
