While the Riverview Lands have been the subject of a wide variety of technical studies in the past, its core community heritage values had not yet been documented in this way. The HCP merges past technical work with the knowledge and meanings people associate with the values of the place. Putting these pieces together has resulted in a guiding document that understands, acknowledges and outlines strategies for conserving the Lands’ heritage values.

The HCP process was designed to reach a wide audience through a variety of tools so anyone with a connection to the Riverview Lands over its long history had the opportunity to express their views and values, and to share their stories. This accessible and transparent process included drop-in workshops, open houses, an on-line questionnaire and workshop, email and mail.

Following current best-practices, the Riverview HCP includes the following:

Phase 1: Understanding the Riverview Lands
All aspects of the Lands were considered, documented and understood to provide a complete context for the preparation of a statement of significance. It includes a physical description of the site, its detailed chronological history and mapping of known key heritage features. The current and historical planning context, including regulations, zoning or bylaws that are in effect on the Lands, as well as its economic, social and political conditions were also documented. The wealth of information contained in previously conducted studies was consulted to assist with the understanding of the Lands.

Phase 2: Evaluate the significance of the Riverview Lands
In this phase, the local community, stakeholders and interested people throughout the province were consulted in order to gather information about what is valued about the Lands and why it is valued. This consultation took place through one-on-one interviews, meetings with stakeholder groups, public workshops, open houses, an online workshop, website and questionnaire.

Values collected from the public were synthesized with site documentation and historical research to create a statement of heritage significance, a detailed but succinct document that clearly expresses the core heritage values of the place, and its physical aspects that express these values. The collected community values and the statement of significance were then presented at two open houses.

Values collected from the public are being synthesized with site documentation and historical research to create a statement of heritage significance, a detailed but succinct document that clearly expresses the core heritage values of the place, and its physical aspects that express these values. The collected community values and the statement of significance is being presented at an open house.

Phase 3: Assess potential impacts
This phase considered and evaluated all of the different impacts that could have an effect on the heritage values of the Riverview Lands. Examples include events such as the closure of the hospital, changing levels of landscape maintenance and even climate change.

Phase 4: Develop conservation strategies
Conservation strategies are recommendations that are designed to minimize the impact of site evolution and change on heritage values and associated character-defining elements.

Strategies have been developed for the short and long-term care of the Riverview Lands, including the care of the materials of the buildings and specific aspects of the setting – such as landscape or garden layouts, views or stone walls. The strategies also provide information to guide potential new work on the site to ensure heritage values are considered.

Strategies will be developed for the short and long-term care of the Riverview Lands. Strategies can be developed for the care of the materials of a building, or specific aspects of the setting – such as landscape or garden layouts, views or stone walls. Strategies also provide information to guide potential new work on the site to ensure heritage values are considered.

To learn more about HCPs and best practices download http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/heritage/external/!publish/web/Conservation_Planning_Methodology.pdf