_{Fishing and Forestry are the traditional mainstays of the local economy, although they have both been surpassed by Tourism during the last decade. The waterfront strip between Parksville and Qualicum Beach to the north is an almost continuous strip of resort development and tourism facilities.}

<sub>Like its close neighbour Qualicum Beach, Parksville is an enchanting seaside village that will capture your heart. Discover for yourself why so many people return again and again to this central Vancouver Island getaway. The central location of Parksville makes this oceanside playground a convenient base from which to enjoy all your vacation activities on Vancouver Island.
Population: 11,277                               

Location: Parksville is located on the sheltered eastern shores of Vancouver Island, 7.5 miles (12 km) east of Qualicum Beach, just 37 km (23 miles) north of Nanaimo on Highway 19, and 150 km (92 miles) north of Victoria.</sub>

_{The Oceanside Route (Hwy 19A), is an especially scenic section of the Island Highway System that runs parallel to the Inland Island Highway (Hwy 19). The Oceanside Route follows the coastline from the Nanoose Bay area all the way to Campbell River. Enjoy the sights of Parksville and Qualicum Beach and the Lighthouse Country communities of Qualicum Bay, Bowser and Deep Bay. Follow the Oceanside Route through the charming communities of Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Union Bay and continue north through Merville, Black Creek, and Oyster River to Campbell River. Parks, beaches, golf courses, and dozens of attractions are located along the Oceanside Route, making it one of the Islands most popular driving tours.Heritage buildings from the Parksville area can be viewed at Craig Heritage Park & Museum. Among them are the French Creek Post Office (1886), the Duncan McMillan log house (1885), and the Knox Heritage Church (1912).The Parksville Community Park is located on Corfield Road in scenic Parksville Bay and offers a variety of activities including the famous Lion's Venture Land Playground is a must for younger members of the family to visit. Tennis courts, ball parks, a lacrosse box, skateboard and BMX park, covered picnic area, large field for kite flying, arena and a Community Hall are also located in the park. The beach itself offers a beautiful view as well as swimming and sandcastle building.}

_{Older kids looking for thrills get their kicks at the Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park, an acclaimed network of trails built and maintained by the Arrowsmith Mountain Bike Club. Enjoy the profusion of colour from over 5,000 flowers, cascading waterfalls, fountains and finely crafted fantasy scenes. Marvel at the two exquisite miniature golf courses which features a full rigged pirate galleon, treasure cave, 45 foot old woman's shoe, watermill, lighthouse, Victorian mansion, village church, and much more at Paradise Fun Park Mini-Golf.St. Anne's Anglican Church is one of the oldest churches on Vancouver Island, built in 1894 by 45 farmers who used oxen to haul the logs. To find the church, turn left off the Island Highway onto Pym Road, right onto Humphrey Road and right onto Church Road.Arts and crafts abound in the area, which is home to painters, weavers, sculptors, carvers, glass blowers, and other artisans who welcome visitors to their studios.}

_{The Station Gallery at the Parksville Train Station features the work of the Arrowsmith Potters Guild, and the People's Gallery in downtown Parksville is home to exhibits presented by the Oceanside Community Arts Council. Pick up a brochure and map of the local galleries that are open to the public for tours and visits, available from the Visitor Info Centre.The annual Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates the migration of up to 20,000 Brant geese from Mexico to their Alaskan breeding grounds.}

_{The beaches around Parksville and neighbouring Qualicum have been the site of an annual migration of tens of thousands of brant geese since well before the settlement of the town. With the establishment of the Brant Goose Feeding Area by the Mid Island Wildlife Watch Society, the arrival of the geese has been the trigger for annual festivities in mid-April. By then, thousands of the black-hued, duck-size sea geese touch down on the beaches and marshlands surrounding Parksville and Qualicum to rest and feed on the algae, eel grasses, seaweeds, and especially herring roe. Most of the migrating birds are travelling from Mexico to the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta of western Alaska. Guided tours of the feeding areas take visitors to special viewing locations, or you can simply walk out on the beach with a pair of binoculars and stalk them (and the more than 200 other bird species passing through at the same time)If you like the beach, you'll love Parksville. With its long sandy beaches and eastern exposure, this is an ideal spot to spend a few days, or the whole summer, basking in the sun and swimming in warm waters. Parksville's Community Park offers great lengths of public beach on the town shoreline. Pick a location that appeals to you, park in one of the many access points, and stroll out onto the hard-packed sand. When the tide goes out in Parksville, it leaves hundreds of metres of firm golden sand, internationally acclaimed as the best building material for sandcastles!}