MORRELL NATURE SANCTUARY

Morrell Nature Sanctuary is located in South Nanaimo of the 5th Street Parkway Exit and near Vancouver Island University. It is 111 hectares of preserved 2nd growth forest with 11 kilometers of walking trails. William Morrell, a local contractor donated this land in 1973 for the enjoyment of the public. It was last logged in the 1920's. It is now a privately owned nature reserve leased and managed by the Morrell Sanctuary Society for Environmental Education. It is a non-profit organization run by volunteers who maintain the park and organize many programs for school children and the general public. It is supported by donations, fund drives and membership fees. The park is a very popular recreation and wildlife viewing destination in the community because of its size, proximity and accessibility. You can hike, birdwatch, picnic,  fish and sightsee. Many of the hiking trails are less than two (2) kilometers long. They are all reasonably well-maintained and are easy walking trails with just a few hills. The hiking trails follow a mixture of gravel, wood chips, boardwalks or stone pathway. Along the trails are picnic shelters, picnic tables, viewing benches , look-out platforms and pit toilets. Birdwatching and look-out platforms are located on the Beaver pond and on Morrell Lake. The trails in the park include the Morrell Lake, Alder, Maple, Tranquility, Look-out, Hydro, Yew, Rocky Knoll, Beaver Pond trails and a Service Road.