The council of Port Edward has passed a motion to change the bylaw of the only campground in the community, the Kinnikinnick Campground and RV Park (British Columbia).
The new bylaw allows guests to stay for up to 30 cumulative days during peak season, between May 1 and Oct. 31. Furthermore, in the off-season, between Nov. 1 and Apr. 30, visitors may stay for as long as they like. There is no time restriction.
This change in the bylaw was proposed to support current guidelines and the development of the community, according to a report by The Northern View.
Previously, guests could pitch a tent on the grounds for a maximum of 14 days, according to Polly Pereira, director of corporate administrative services at the District of Port Edward.
Port Edward Mayor Knut Bjornal said the previous two-week maximum was not long enough time for many visitors.
“People come here to go fishing and things like that, and so we thought it was appropriate to extend the time that people can actually stay there without having to move,” he said.
Pereira said the previous campground bylaw was from 1994.
Bjorndal explained in addition to the length of stay, the new bylaw also redefines the idea of camping.
“The other thing we did was allow them to have yurts, which are small, 10 by 10 wooden structures for those people who don’t want to get wet staying in a tent.”
To change the campground bylaw, the district had to make some changes to the zoning bylaw, which required a public hearing and approval from the Ministry of Transportation.
The public hearing was held on December 13, 2022, and the district received the necessary approval from the ministry prior to the council making the decision to adopt the new bylaw.
The new bylaw is expected to provide more options for campers in Port Edward and support the local tourism industry by encouraging longer stays from visitors.
The decision to extend the maximum length of stay and redefine camping is a step forward for the community, and it is expected to be well-received by both tourists and locals.
Isn’t it cool that in Port Edward, campers can now chill out for as long as they want, bond over activities, and enjoy the outdoors in yurts? It’s a game-changer for nature lovers!