The easiest way from downtown Nanaimo to Bowen Park is a BC Transit bus up Bowen Road, or a short taxi ride. The park’s address is 500 Bowen Road, close to the middle of the city.
Buses along Bowen Road
BC Transit routes 30 and 40 both travel along Bowen Road from downtown. Route 30 is the hospital route, and route 40, the VIU Express, runs by way of University Village and Vancouver Island University. Either one leaves you a short walk from the park entrance.
Departure times differ by weekday, weekend and season. Use the BC Transit trip planner, enter Bowen Park as the destination, and it will show the nearest stop and the next bus. It also lists service alerts.
Driving to the Bowen Road entrance
For a car, put 500 Bowen Road into a navigation app and follow it in. The city has done roadwork on Bowen Road before, so a live map is more reliable than a fixed set of directions. The City of Nanaimo parks page for Bowen Park is the place to check for any access notices.
What you will find at the park
Bowen Park covers about 36 hectares, and most of it is undeveloped. Trails follow the Millstone River to a waterfall and a fish ladder. There is a duck pond and a rhododendron garden with more than 350 species. Families will find two playgrounds, and there are tennis courts, sand volleyball, disc golf and a seasonal outdoor pool. The park is wheelchair accessible.
Most people ride from downtown rather than walk along a busy road. A cab is useful with a stroller or when it rains. The taxi fare estimator shows a rough fare for the distance, and local operators are on the Nanaimo taxi page.
The Bowen administration office keeps weekday hours, so for program or pool details, contact the City of Nanaimo parks and recreation team.