Katherine Bickford

You may have noticed some new signs along part of Comox Road that opens onto the waterfront on K’ómoks First Nation property – the signs are quite clear:  No Trespassing.

K’ómoks First Nation property on Comox Road

The area is popular with photographers and bird watchers, and has been for as long as I can remember and I have a long memory, so what’s the deal? Why should we stay out now?

The first reason to stay out is because it is private property, marked accordingly, and the K’ómoks First Nation wants us to stay out. That’s well within their right, and I respect their rights and their property.

The second reason is not so obvious, but it only took a smile and about 30 seconds of my time to learn why they decided to ask people to stay out.

The signs are here to stay. Get used to them, respect them, and please, don’t try to get around them. I’ll explain why at the bottom of this post.

The K’ómoks First Nation does not want to stop you from enjoying the beauty of the Comox Estuary. You can still take pictures of the birds and the Comox Glacier. Be patient and you might see a few eagles, maybe a seal, or an otter.

All that is asked of us is to respect the signs – this is all about respect, and despite years of people trashing the beach and artifacts, the K’ómoks First Nation decided to protect their land a,nd the historical artifacts along the shore line and a few extending into the waters of the estuary.

They even installed a bench that you can sit on while enjoying the views and nature. Just park on the road, be respectful, and be mindful of the history and the significance of this area.