A Glance at Fillongley Provincial Park

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This small, picturesque park on the north side of Denman Island makes for an idyllic visiting location. Spend a few hours here, or a few days. In the spring, vibrant wildflowers bring this Gulf Islands park alive. The sandy and rocky beach is perfect for those who like to swim, kayak, canoe, beachcomb and take long walks.

Bring your camera for the panoramic views of Hornby Island and mainland British Columbia’s mountain ranges.

The park has a long history of life. At least 5,000 years ago, the region’s first people would canoe to Denman Island for fish, oysters, clams, and roots, and to embark on spirit quests. The Pentlatch band of the Coast Salish also maintained a summer village on Denman; beaches with shells strewn about hint at their continual presence.
The park, as it is today, began in the early 1870s with the first wave of landing European immigrants. One of the immigrants, George Beadnell, a medical doctor, arrived in 1888 as a teenager from England. His entire life was spent on the island; during his time, he developed a parcel of oceanfront land. Fillongley Provincial Park was that land, later bequeathed to British Columbia.

To this day, Beadnell’s grave can be seen along the Homestead Trail.  Remains of his homestead are also visible, as are a number of unusual heritage trees that Beadnell imported from England. The flat meadow in the park was once the site of his bowling green.

Today, this park continues to be popular with locals and visitors alike.  A mixed stand of mature coastal Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Western hemlock, and Broadleaf maple remains protected. As some of the last unlogged, old-growth cedar on Denman Island, this forest is a modern piece of natural history.

If you want to camp on Denman Island, Fillongley is the only location available. You’ll probably need advanced booking to secure a spot, too. Ten available campsites, located along the ocean and near several walking trails throughout the park, allow the opportunity for visitors to take a leisurely stroll and observe the old-growth forest, the remains of Beadnell’s homestead, and Little George Creek, an important salmon spawning stream.

Those who wish to explore the waters around Denman and Hornby Islands by canoe or kayak have the opportunity to set in at the beach, near the campsites.

Island Times Magazine thanks Tammie Liddicoat for her continued BC Parks support.