BOWEN PARK in Winter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Bowen Park is a substantial large tract of parkland located Northwest of Downtown Nanaimo. The Park was named after the Bowen Brothers who managed the Western Fuel and Electric Company back in the late 1800's. They gave the land to the City in 1885 and it was later registered as a park in 1931. It is consisted of 36 hectares most of which are still undeveloped. A series of interpretative trails line along the Millstone River. There's a scenic waterfall and a fish ladder. There's also an amazing Rhododendron Grove consisting of over 350 different species. The best time to view them is in the early spring. There are lots of things you can do in the park: There's an outdoor swimming pool in the summer, walking trails,  a "frolf" disc golf or freesbee courses scattered around the park, skate bowl, senior centre, 2 huge picnic shelters with children's playground one of which is gated, tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, seasonal petting zoo, duck pond ( year-round). In the fall, the red colorful maple trees are at its best to view,  there are great hills for winter tobogganing (when it does snow) and of course, spring and summer bring out the spectacular blooming of the rhododendrons and the roses. To get to Bowen Park from downtown Nanaimo, drive north to Comox Road, turn left and look for several park entrances on the right. Watch for the railroad tracks , pass it and choose your choice of park entrance. There are kingfishers, river otter, eagles, merganser, freshwater bullhead, raccoon, heron, American bullfrog, pumpkin seed sunfish , crayfish and other small animals around to see, if you're lucky. The photos were just taken on December 31,2011 and some of the ornamental trees were already starting to bloom!