Local residents and visitors are invited to explore a lovely corner of the Comox Valley. In the fall of 2016, an 11-acre waterfront property became the Brian and Sarah McLoughlin Park, the latest addition to the Comox Valley Regional District park system. This park can be found at the end of Tasman Road, off Williams Beach Road in Merville.

Stroll from the gate down a winding road to admire the ornamental gardens of the McLoughlin family cottage, and stop for a while to sit on the rocky beach and watch for whales, seals and other wildlife, while enjoying spectacular views of the mainland mountains.

The cottage and outbuildings are being leased by the McLoughlin Gardens Society.

With assistance from the Comox Valley Art Gallery, the society is running an artist-in-residence program between May and September.

As with other artist-in-residence programs, visiting writers and artists divide their time between community engagement and their own art practice.

Visitors to an Open House and Garden Gala on May 6 will have an opportunity to hear readings from several Comox Valley writers and to learn more about the McLoughlin Gardens Society.

Join us from 1-4 p.m. on May 6, at 814 Tasman Rd. in Merville.

Refreshments will be offered. Some chairs will be available for the readings.

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