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Quarry Nature Park

This once productive industrial site has now given way to a diverse plant and wildlife community. Quarry Nature Park is a highly popular spot in Cobble Hill that is home to both the South Cowichan Community Off-Leash Dog Park and Cleasby Bike Park. The trails within this park connect to the trails within Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area.

Activities/Amenities

Equestrian and hiking trails
Washroom building (open all year)
Picnic area
Old steam pump display

Near public transit
Off-leash community dog park
Bike skills park (seasonal)

General Information

The history of the park actually starts on the other side of the mountain, where a farmer by the name of Mr. Ronnie Wattie, the owner of Heather Banks Farms, gathered information on equipment to grind limestone for farm use. He decided against it, but gave the information to two brothers, Norman and Ralph Bonner.

Norm had just returned from overseas (WWII) and was looking to start a business. At the present park site, which was then Norm’s land, the brothers started Cobble Hill Lime Products in 1945. In 1946, the first quarrying was done. The operation was active for three years, until 1949 when the Bamberton Cement Lime Quarry started operation south of Cobble Hill and replaced the quarrying on the park site. Also in 1949, Ralph left to pursue other business opportunities, leaving Norm to run the plant as a one-man operation. In 1981, Norm retired and dismantled the plant. The land was purchased by the CVRD in 1984. An old steam pump has been refurbished and put on display just below the old limestone quarry that was operated in the 1940s.

Land Acknowledgement

The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) Quw'utsun (Cowichan Tribes), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts'uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz'uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Peoples. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands of this region since time immemorial. The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.

Quarry Nature Park

Activities/Amenities

General Information

How To Get There

History