Westwood Lake Park — Attraction in Nanaimo

So I am a big fisherman and I enjoyed catching and releasing a couple small mouth bass today as I wondered around the lake. It's a nice and easy hike around the lake, maybe 8K? So anyway I was exploring places to access from the trail so I could cast. At one point half way around the lake I found a lot of sunken log structures which is where bass love to hide. I found a large enough log that floated way out into the water so I prepared to walk out on top of it. As I approached the root cluster that was on the beach covered slightly by surrounding shrubbery, a glint caught my eye. A quick double take and I realized it was a tiny little bottle. The bottle was clear and tiny with a little cork lid and I could see there were some pretty little things inside. It had obviously been purposely left for someone to stumble upon. I carefully took the bottle out of the root structure and I could see a beautiful sparkling greenish sand inside along with a beautiful shell and what appeared to be a note! I was amazed! So I carefully opened the cork from the bottle and set everything down gently so as to not spill the contents. I took from my fishing tackle box a pair of small pliers and with them I retrieved the tiny rolled up piece of paper, slid the brass ring off of it and unraveled it to find beautifully printed words that read "you are beautiful". I have to say this is one of the most wonderful discoveries I have made venturing anywhere in nature aside from witnessing wonderful wildlife. I gently put everything back as it was and replaced the bottle in its hiding spot. I hope any of you reading this might venture out and search for other possible Hidden Treasures around this beautiful Lake. The experience is something that will stick out in my mind and made my day a very exceptional one....

As far as public swimming locales in nanaimo, westwood has everything you could want (yet on occasion, somthings you dont want.) Slowly moving waters can cause problems with hygenic swimming but those problens are usually closely monitored and publicly stated. So keep out an eye for signs posted for swimmers itch ect. But dont let that discourage you. All man made lakes have had their seasonal problems. From geese to see, beautiful trails to walk around, a playground for the kids and dispite what i said before, a refreshing swim (that ive taken thousands of times), straight on to the sheer population boost in the hot summer months for people to gather and meet one another on a nice sandy beach. Theres a ton of great reasons to take a gander, far fewer reasons to go elseware. I would have given it 5 stars but it just cant beat...

Visitors to Nanaimo. Lovely well maintained trail. Scenic and shady. We chose to go as a birding expedition but our lack of success was probably a result of poor timing... midday in July.

The six kilometres was a tad long for two out of practice oldies but did afford a great sense of accomplishment. Appreciated the washroom facility at both ends of the walk.

This trail is very well used. Probably met or were passed by 50 - 60 others during our 3+ hour meander. There is a swimming beach and change rooms at the parking area.

We went to the right when facing the lake at the beach.... and were faced with a long uphill climb in the last kilometre. We'd go left if we do it again. Did find lots of interesting natural specimens to photograph and try...