New Name for Park in Kanada: Cultural Heritage of the K'ómoks People Lives On

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), located in the British Columbia province of Kanada, has rebuilt a park situated on Comox Yolu and reopened it with a new name. Now known as 'qapoje Park', this area is not just a physical renovation, but also a concrete reflection of the strong solidarity and cultural respect established with the indigenous peoples of the region. K’ómoks First Nation Chief Nicole Rempel stated that places like qapoje remind the community that these lands possess a deep memory. The renaming of the park and the preservation of the shoreline reinforce respect for the history of the indigenous people, while allowing individuals to learn more about the deep-rooted connection they have with these lands. This opening stands out as one of the successful model projects brought to life through the collaboration of local governments and indigenous communities.

The park's new name, 'qapoje', is a traditional ayajusem term referring to the 'spring salmon' in a south-flowing creek. This name is a direct reference to the history and ecology of Coho Deresi, which starts from Back Yolu, passes under Comox Yolu, and eventually flows into the estuary. For the K’ómoks people, the original inhabitants of the region, this creek and its surrounding ecosystem are both a physical source of life and a place of spiritual significance. The name change is considered part of a broader context aimed at erasing the traces of colonialism. CVRD Board Chair Will Cole-Hamilton expressed great satisfaction that the park is ready for public use. Cole-Hamilton emphasized that visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of this renewed area while also learning the true history of the region.

As part of the shoreline restoration and park redesign efforts, a comprehensive transformation was made to the physical structure of the area. Within the scope of the projects that started on the date of Ağustos 2024, invasive species harming the region were eliminated, and new estuarine habitats and a new fish-friendly channel were created around the creek bed. While the shoreline was stabilized against erosion, a new wooden boardwalk and an observation platform were constructed, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the scenery without harming nature. In addition to these, a new walking trail extending along the park's shoreline, a reorganized parking area, and informative signs narrating the region's history to visitors were added to the project. All these infrastructure works were meticulously planned to strike a balance between nature conservation and human access to nature.

Millions of dollars in funding were provided from multiple institutions to bring this massive ecological and cultural project to life. The largest grant, amounting to 1.14 milyon Kanada Doları, was provided by the British Columbia province and distributed through the Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction program. This specific funding channel aims to reduce flood risk and support projects that will help local communities adapt to climate change. In addition to this, an additional resource of over 685.000 dolar was transferred through the federal government's Building Communities Fund. In the name of supporting wildlife, organizations such as the Pasifik Somon Vakfı (70.000 dolar), Project Watershed (68.000 dolar), and the British Columbia Doğa Vakfı (50.000 dolar) also made financial contributions.

The shoreline improvements carried out at qapoje Park have another highly critical technical purpose: to minimize the risk of flooding that may occur along Comox Yolu and to strengthen the shoreline. Today, as the threats posed by climate change increase, such nature-based infrastructure solutions both protect the environment and ensure the safety of the local population. The restructured fish channels and the restoration of wetlands secure the spawning and migration routes of salmon, making a significant contribution to regional biodiversity. The collaboration between the K’ómoks First Nation and local governments since the beginning of the project sets an inspiring example for similar nature conservation and urban planning projects. Now operating at full capacity, the park has been transformed into an educational, relaxing, and ecologically sustainable open-air space for the residents of Comox Vadisi and tourists visiting the region.