PIP

During my years of involvement with the City of Nanaimo, one of the most rewarding initiatives I have come across is the Partners in Parks (PIP) program. Initiated back in 1982, it is a public participation program designed to bring the ideas and efforts of community volunteers together with the City of Nanaimo's Parks and Recreation department to help develop and improve our parks and open spaces. $100,000 is allocated annually to fund dedicated community projects, often related to development of neighbourhood playgrounds. A committee of neighbourhood citizens works with the City to put forward a vision for what they wish to see created, develop a budget, and apply for funding and assistance from the City to advance the project. There have been many great examples in the community, including fairly recently the Linley Point Gyro Park. A new project underway to watch for is the Rocky Point Playground at Harry Wipper Park.