Creating a Regional Nature Park: A Case Study on Community Engagement in Developing the Mill Creek Nature Park in the Town of Riverview, New Brunswick

Authors

  • Daniel S. DeLong Dalhousie University

Keywords:

Park, Community, Nature, Development, Engagement

Abstract

This paper explores the development and management of the Mill Creek Nature Park in the Town of Riverview, New Brunswick. The park is under-development on a 217 ha plot of land owned by the municipality on the eastern edge of Riverview. The site is unique due to its proximity to a rapidly developing residential area and the presence of a dam and reservoir (installed by the Canadian Navy in the 1950s). This paper investigates the Mill Creek Nature Park in the context of three development themes: inception, consultation, and materialization. The findings offer insight into the genesis of environment-based municipal projects, the importance of engaging community in the early planning-phase of park development, and the subsequent development process for the implementation of the park plan. Additionally, peer-reviewed literature is consulted to provide a brief overview of the value of green space and why the broader community should be involved in the planning and development of local parklands. The information highlighted in this paper serves as a valuable overview of the creation of a regional nature park in the context of New Brunswick, Canada and can provide insight into the early development process for other municipalities seeking to develop a park of a similar size and scope within their own communities.  

Author Biography

Daniel S. DeLong, Dalhousie University

Daniel DeLong is a first year Master‘s of Resource and Environmental Management (MREM) candidate at Dalhousie University. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in geography and a minor in English.

He currently sits on the development committee for the Mill Creek Nature Park, which is situated in his home community of Riverview, New Brunswick, and is the recipient of the 2011 New Brunswick Environmental Leadership Award for his contribution to the project. His current research interests are based around urban sustainability, community development, and conservation management.

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Published

2017-04-06

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Articles