Maffeo Sutton Park /
Swy-A-Lana Lagoon

This is the jewel of recreation in downtown Nanaimo, a large multi-purpose plaza (and so much more) right on the waterfront.

The park's focus is Swy-a-Lana Lagoon, a tiny manmade lake that is connected to the ocean only at the highest tides. Walkways surround the lagoon, as well as fountains like tidal pools that spill back down into the lagoon. People swim here sometimes because the water is warmer than the ocean and there is a small sandy beach.

There is also a wonderful playground here, and a small field for festivals, symphonies, etc. The ferry to Newcastle Island is right beside the playground, across a bridge from a long public crab-fishing dock that is worth the stroll (you might meet a seal).

Nanaimo's Seawall

The park is part of a much larger waterfront trail system. Pedestrians, cyclists and skaters love Nanaimo's waterfront on a warm day. Or even on a blustery, electric kind of day.

Photos of the park from above
(thanks, GR74)

One might start their trip at the harbour near Port Place Mall or the Bastion, and walk along the seawall past the quaint shops by the docks, and past the lighthouse. The seawall passes the new Pacifica highrise development and the seaplane terminal, then opens into Maffeo Sutton Park and the long public dock. The kids can play in the playground or look for seals. There might even be a festival or show at the park, and vendors are usually on hand on sunny days with ice cream and other treats.

North of the park, the seawall crosses another bridge and then opens up as the Queen Elizabeth Promenade, a wide multi-lane walkway. This trail contines for 500m in a long curved line, built just above the rocky beach/waves. This is now the Nanaimo Yacht Club and the Newcastle Island Channel, at the bottom of Rosehill Street. You can continue north all the way to the BC Ferries at Departure Bay, though the path becomes more patchy and less scenic.

Back to the list of Nanaimo parks and places