Accessible by passenger ferry, this island was the site of Hudson's Bay Company's first coal mines, and was named for the coal mining town in England. Later bought by the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was turned into a pleasure island that included floating hotels, dance pavilion and soccer field. Turned over to the city in 1955, the island today is a nature reserve abundant with bird and animal life. It offers good beaches, picnic tables, campsites, great walking trails, and boat anchorage. Along the north and west shores are sea caves that were once used for ancient ritual burials.
