Harry Wipper Park

Acquired in 1981, this sports field is found off of Hammond Bay Road and is adjacent to the Walley Creek Trail. In 2024, a new playground was installed through the Partners in Parks program found at the end of Renee Place off of Hammond Bay.

The park is named for Harry Wipper, Nanaimo’s first Director of Parks & Recreation who served for 31 years, from 1958 to 1989. Many of Nanaimo’s premier parks and facilities were created under Harry’s leadership, including May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park, Robins Park, Maffeo Sutton Park, and Bowen Park.

In addition to his service as the Director of Parks & Recreation, Harry was also an accomplished athlete, particularly the sport of lacrosse. He was a five time national champion in the sport, winning the Mann Cup in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1956 — the latter of which he won as a member of the Nanaimo Timbermen, a team for which he was both a player and the coach.

In recognition of these achievements, Harry has been inducted into the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

An inscription at the park reads in part,

“[Harry] is recognized for his creative parks planning, development of facilities and programs, and his loyal and dedicated leadership over the past thirty-one years.”

Harry passed away in 2012 at age 81.