Family Life
Cowichan Valley has a number of parks of different sizes. Diana Princess of Wales Park, located in Saltair, features a walking trail that winds through over 12 hectares of beautiful forested areas near the Strait of Georgia. Cowichan River Provincial Park, located just outside of Duncan, is a popular place for fishing, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, horseback riding, biking, and wildlife viewing. The park offers day-use and picnic areas, campsites, restrooms, a boat launch, drinking water, and campfire areas. Centennial Park in Duncan features greenspace, a spray park, a playground, tennis courts, a basketball court, exercise equipment, a lawn bowling green, a covered picnic area, a community garden, an outdoor wood oven, benches, treed areas, and a walking trail.
The Cowichan Aquatic Centre in Duncan has a wave pool, a lazy river, two waterslides, a large pool with lap lanes, a steam room, a sauna, a whirlpool, a fitness centre, and meeting spaces. Public swim times, swimming lessons, fitness classes, birthday parties, and meetings are all held at the centre. The Fuller Lake Arena in Chemainus includes a rink with spectator area, two meeting rooms, and a concession area. Hockey, ice skating, and other programs are available at the arena. Located in Shawnigan Lake, the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre offers summer camps, soccer, music, floor hockey, yoga, computer, food and first aid certification, fitness, dance, and general interest programs for people of all ages. The centre has a dance studio, a gymnasium, kitchen facilities, a lounge, and a multipurpose room. Several branches of the Vancouver Island Regional Library are located in Cowichan Valley and also offer community programs for people of all ages.