Creating a Regional Nature Park: A Case Study on Community Engagement in Developing the Mill Creek Nature Park in the Town of Riverview, New Brunswick

Abstract

This paper explores the development and management of the Mill Creek Nature Park in the Town of Riverview, New Brunswick. The park is under development on a 217 ha plot of land owned by the municipality on the eastern edge of Riverview. The site is unique due to its proximity to a rapidly developing residential area and the presence of a dam and reservoir, which was installed by the Royal Canadian Navy in the late 1950s. This paper investigates the Mill Creek Nature Park in the context of three development themes: inception, consultation, and materialization. The findings offer insight into the genesis of environment-based municipal projects, the importance of engaging community in the early planning-phase of park development, and the subsequent development process for the implementation of the park plan. Additionally, peer-reviewed literature is consulted to provide a brief overview of the value of green space and to explain why the broader community should be involved in the planning and development of local parklands. The information highlighted in this paper serves as a valuable overview of the creation of a regional nature park in the context of New Brunswick, Canada, and can provide insight into the early development processes for other municipalities seeking to develop a park of a similar size and scope within their own communities.