Bright Angel Park Group Campsite

The group camping site is not currently available for reservations.

Special Events

A Special Event Permit is required for any proposed event that is to be held at a CVRD park or trail that falls into any of the following categories:

• will have attendance of 40 or more people
• is being hosted by a club, organization or business
• requires any set up (e.g. chairs, tables, tents)
• is open to the public

Examples of these types of events include races, concerts, and larger weddings.

Please contact the Parks & Trails Division early for advice on the required application submission lead time for your proposed event to avoid disappointment. Depending on the location of your proposed event, approval may need to be acquired from other jurisdictions including BC Parks, and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

A security deposit or key deposit may be required.

Our staff can provide you with assistance as you go through the process of determining suitability of approval for your special event at a CVRD park or trail.

Event Insurance

Public events and events held by organizations need to provide proof of insurance for their event. A certificate of insurance naming the Cowichan Valley Regional District and any other applicable land managers as additional insured must be provided with the completed event application. Insurance limit requirements are listed on page 4 of the Special Event Permit Application form. Some private events may be required to hold event insurance depending on the size of the event and the planned activities.  

Please click here to download the Parks & Trails Special Event Permit Application Form.

If you have any questions, please contact the Parks & Trails Division: 746.2660 or email.

Group Use Notification

To host a small private event or gathering in a CVRD park you must submit a Group Use Notification. This process is required for birthday parties, wedding ceremonies and other small private events with less than 40 people attending. If your event is open to the public, larger than 40 people, requires any set up (tents, tables, chairs, etc.) or is hosted by an organization please select the "Special Events" tab for details on how to host a special event in a park. 

Click here to download the Group Use Notification Form. The completed form can be emailed to here. 

If you prefer to provide notification by phone please call 250.746.2660 with the following information:

• Your Name
• Your contact phone number (preferably a cell phone you will have with you on the day of the event)
• The type of event you wish to hold (e.g. Child’s Birthday, or Family Picnic)
• The park and location within the park you are planning to use
• The date and time of your event
• The number of attendees expected
• The activities you have planned for your event

While submitting a Group Use Notification does not grant you exclusive use of a park, knowing this information allows us to inform the Parks & Trails operations team about your event. We can also inform you of any construction or closures that may be ongoing or of any other known activities happening at the park during your event so that you can decide if this park will work for your event or choose another location.

School Groups / Field Trips

It is important for the CVRD to be aware of school group visits to our parks and trails in order to protect sensitive ecosystems and to ensure the capacity of park facilities meet the requirements of the group, so that your group can have the best experience possible. In parks that have caretakers (Bright Angel Park and Glenora Trails Head Park), sufficient notice must be given to allow for the preparation of the park facilities. School group field trip requests may be denied if: 

• there are already other bookings for the park on the same date / time;
• the park carrying capacity will be exceeded by the proposed field trip; or 
• insufficient notice is given.

All school groups planning a field trip to a CVRD park or trail must receive prior written approval from the CVRD. Please click here to download the School Group Field Trip Request Form.  It is recommended that school groups submit their application to the Parks & Trails Division by email no less than 30 days before the proposed event.  Please note that last minute requests may not be accommodated.

School groups must also provide proof of comprehensive general liability insurance protecting the Cowichan Valley Regional District against liability for bodily injury, death or property damage arising out of the visit.

If you have any questions, please contact the Parks & Trails Division: 746.2660 or email.

Special Use of a Park or Trail

If you need access to a CVRD park or trail for a special use such as scientific research or filming, please see contacts below:

Research and other special uses: Contact the Parks & Trails Division by email so that we can help you through the process of getting approval for your activity.

Filming requests: Contact Laura Jennifer Leppard, Location Scout/Filming Co-ordinator with Film Cowichan at 250.732.1419.

Ball Field Rentals in CVRD Parks

Saltair Centennial Park 

To rent the Saltair Centennial Park ball fields please contact the Parks & Trails Division by email

Shawnigan Hills Athletic Park  

To rent the Shawnigan Hills Athletic Park ball fields please contact Kerry Park Recreation at 250.743.5922

Mesachie Lake Park and Little League Park 

To rent the Mesachie Lake Park or the Little League Park ball fields please contact Cowichan Lake Recreation at 250.749.6742