PRRD to consider $3M+ report for Blackfoot Regional Park upgrades

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district has received a report recommending more than $3.37 million in upgrades to a park on the Peace River. 

At the March 19th regional board meeting, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) reviewed a final report on the Blackfoot Regional Park campground to help it plan for future capital projects. 

The park is located in Clayhurst on the banks of the Peace River, and the regional district contracted a landscape architecture and design firm to create a master plan design study in the spring of 2025. 

“The purpose of the first stage of the plan was to identify opportunities to improve park functionality, user experience, long-term operational efficiency and financial sustainability while guiding future capital investment,” the report stated.

The nearly 200-page master plan is intended to be a “long-term planning framework” without committing the regional board to any projects proposed, suggested or recommended within it. 

The recommendations outlined by the plan include:

• Simplifying circulation for vehicles and pedestrians
• Formalize and enhance the day-use area
• Improve distribution of park amenities
• Expand and develop green spaces and vegetation
• Standardize campsite layouts and materials
• Elevate the overall functionality of the park
• Improve overall user experience and operational efficiency

The plan also included high-level cost estimates for the improvements, which total approximately $3.4 million. This included over $461,000 in landscape and rehabilitation, $1.19 million in general site improvements, $709,000 in road construction and $1.02 million in campsite improvements. 

The study was funded by the Growing Communities Fund for an estimated $230,000, according to the accompanying report from PRRD staff. 

The board reviewed the report and voted to keep the plan in mind on a case-by-case basis as part of the district’s annual budget process.