In this edition of My Nanaimo This Week water parks open, vegetables are planted in Beban Park, a water safety education team gets ready to travel throughout the community and the City of Nanaimo proclaims June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day in Nanaimo. Read on to find out more!
COVID-19 Phase II, a slow and thoughtful approach to reopening
Corporate Services
Although our doors remain closed, the City is definitely open for business! Check out our Online Services page to see how we can help you. Did you know? You can apply for both residential and commercial building permits online? Detailed instructions are provided and if you get stuck, you can always call Development Services at 250-755-4429.
Parks, Recreation & Culture
Playgrounds, parks, trails, skateboard parks, Steve Smith Bike Park, pickle ball courts, tennis courts and dog parks are open with a number of guidelines to follow. Nanaimo water parks open tomorrow, June
18 and will be open daily from 9 am to 8 pm. Gated basketball courts, volleyball courts, lacrosse boxes and sports fields will be reopening Monday, June 22.
Indoor recreation facilities, such as recreation centres, arenas and pools, as well as City-owned cultural venues remain closed pending reopening guidelines being worked on between the Ministry of Health, WorkSafe BC and other professional organizations, including the BC Recreation and Parks Association. In the meantime, residents can sign up for several classes being offered outside.
Public Works
City staff continue regular garbage, recycling and organics collection. Don't forget about the collection schedule tool, which offers a simple way to help you remember your waste collection day. Are you looking for a detailed list of the paper and packaging items accepted in your blue recycling cart? Visit the Recycle BC What Can I Recycle? page to learn about all the items accepted and not accepted in the blue cart. You can also find recycling information in French, Korean, Chinese and Punjabi.
Find more information about the City's response on the COVID-19 information page.
Vegetables Growing in Beban Park
Horticulture staff from the City of Nanaimo have planted new vegetable demonstration gardens in Beban Park. The gardens feature varieties of cucumbers, squash, corn, tomatoes, carrots, kale, beets and beans which can be grown locally in small spaces.
Each type of plant will be identified with interpretive signage so residents can learn more about them. More information about this project and the City’s Community Gardens is available online.
Virtual Countdown for Canada Day
Canada Day festivities across the country will look lot different this year. Traditional celebrations normally taking place in Nanaimo at Maffeo Sutton Park with live entertainment, activities and that memorable gigantic maple leaf cake will be replaced
with ideas to help you prepare for your own back yard celebration. Follow along June 22 to July 1 where videos, activities and tips will be posted daily on @Nanaimoparksandrec Instagram
page, Facebook Event. 
Summer Water Safety
COVID-19 may have paused traditional swimming lessons and water safety education programming but a couple of new initiatives are being introduced by the aquatics department to reinforce water safety and reduce drownings. A personal flotation device (PFD) loan program will offer free use of PFD's at Westwood Lake starting June 28. The program will operate on an honour system and expand if successful.
A water safety education team will be travelling throughout the community for 10 weeks starting June 27. They will visit various parks, camps and waterfront areas providing education on safe boating practices, sun safety, basic rescue, PFD fittings and
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Taxes due July 2
Just a reminder, property taxes are due July 2. Don't forget to claim your Home Owner Grant! If you did not receive your property tax notice or have any questions, please call 250-755-4415.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Sunday, June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day While in-person celebrations are on hold this year, the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, Mid-Island Metis Nation and Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island are encouraging virtual celebrations on social media using #NIPD20. Find resources and information about this day here: https://bit.ly/30Tj75S.
The City of Nanaimo has proclaimed June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day in Nanaimo. Find the proclamation here: https://bit.ly/3dbU3cP. 
Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings
Visit the Meetings, Documents and Videos page on the City website to view upcoming meetings, agendas and past meeting videos or visit the Council Meeting Summaries page to read a recap of decisions made in previous meetings.
- June 18, Board of Variance, 5 pm
- June 18, Public Hearing, 7 pm
- June 19, , 19 am
- June 22, Special Council Meeting, 1 pm
Here's a recap of City news: