parks

Esquimalt Coun. Ken Armour (left), Dillon Takata and Mayor Barb Desjardin shovel ceremonial scoops of soil onto what will soon be a small cherry tree forest in Gorge Park. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Cherry tree planting honours Japanese heritage in Esquimalt park

Gorge Park was the site of Canada’s first Japanese garden

 

Colwood Creek Park is the site of two of several pop-up public parks feedback sessions in the city. (Photo courtesy City of Colwood)

Colwood asking residents for their take on its parks management

Four in-person sessions and one online to be held between Oct. 16 and 27

 

Volunteers with Schneider Electric work in partnership with Tree Canada and the District of Oak Bay to restore a pocket of the Garry oak meadow ecosystem in Anderson Hill Park. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Volunteers clear corner of Oak Bay park for new native growth

Anderson Hill Park privvy to upgrades thanks to business, Tree Canada

 

Several restoration projects in Cuthbert Holmes Park aim to improve usability for park-goers and the habitats within the nature space. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Cuthbert Holmes Park in Saanich home to pathway and creek upgrades

Improvements help park-users and a variety of birds, fish, and wildlife

Several restoration projects in Cuthbert Holmes Park aim to improve usability for park-goers and the habitats within the nature space. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
The District of Sooke announced Thursday that fewer than 10 per cent of voters, 1,026 voters, registered opposition to the John Phillips Memorial Park plan under the alternate approval process. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Lions Club project clears alternative approval process

Less than 10 per cent of voters said ‘no’ to park lease proposal

The District of Sooke announced Thursday that fewer than 10 per cent of voters, 1,026 voters, registered opposition to the John Phillips Memorial Park plan under the alternate approval process. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Birding can can be a great family activity in explore and develop our Natural Intelligence.

Birds of a feather discover together!

Introducing junior birders to the natural world all around Saanich

  • Sep 13, 2021
Birding can can be a great family activity in explore and develop our Natural Intelligence.
Victoria city staff estimate the cost of staff, materials and consulting services for restoring city parks following temporary sheltering to be $535,000. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria city staff slap $500,000 price tag on post-sheltering park restoration

Restoration in such parks as Beacon Hill, Topaz, Cecilia Ravine expected to take until 2024: report

Victoria city staff estimate the cost of staff, materials and consulting services for restoring city parks following temporary sheltering to be $535,000. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich boasts more than 170 parks, with an Official Community Plan policy of having five hectares of parkland for every 1,000 people, and having a park within walking distance of most homes within the urban area.

What’s in a park? Lots of community ideas!

Balancing needs for Saanich’s different parks … and different park users

  • Sep 6, 2021
Saanich boasts more than 170 parks, with an Official Community Plan policy of having five hectares of parkland for every 1,000 people, and having a park within walking distance of most homes within the urban area.
A series of orange hearts, marking place names and numbers corresponding with known residential school sites where unmarked graves have been found, hang in Rutledge Park in Saanich. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Anonymous orange hearts hang in support throughout Saanich park

Sept. 30 marks Orange Shirt Day, and now national day of reconciliation

A series of orange hearts, marking place names and numbers corresponding with known residential school sites where unmarked graves have been found, hang in Rutledge Park in Saanich. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
One of the tallest peaks in the city, with an elevation of about 120 metres, Mount Tolmie offers moderate to challenging climbs with the reward of a 360-degree city view at the top.

Go vertical! 5 Saanich hikes that yield a big reward

Reflecting on our favourite hikes, we often think horizontal – maybe a…

  • Aug 30, 2021
One of the tallest peaks in the city, with an elevation of about 120 metres, Mount Tolmie offers moderate to challenging climbs with the reward of a 360-degree city view at the top.
John Phillips Memorial Park, located at 2201 Otter Point Rd., serves a wide range of community needs. The Sooke Lions Club is proposing a community centre for the seven-hectare park. (File – District of Sooke)

Plans for Sooke Lions Club park project draw opposition

Group wants more public consultation

John Phillips Memorial Park, located at 2201 Otter Point Rd., serves a wide range of community needs. The Sooke Lions Club is proposing a community centre for the seven-hectare park. (File – District of Sooke)
Outerbridge Park will see opera and poetry performances included in the free Saanich event. (Courtesy Brenda Weatherston)

Voices in Nature: Saanich hosts opera and poetry event in Outerbridge Park

Attendees will see instrumental, opera, and poetry performances

Outerbridge Park will see opera and poetry performances included in the free Saanich event. (Courtesy Brenda Weatherston)
Student broom removal Mt Tolmie. Shanna Baker photo

Pulling Together: Saanich and community volunteers boost local biodiversity

The stately Garry oak, with its wide-spreading limbs and green summer canopy,…

  • Aug 23, 2021
Student broom removal Mt Tolmie. Shanna Baker photo
Butterly on red osier dogwood. Jen Blyth photo

Be local + Bee happy: Incorporating native plants into the home garden

Blackberry picking is a late-summer tradition for many of us here in…

  • Aug 16, 2021
Butterly on red osier dogwood. Jen Blyth photo
Colwood has a number of parks already and is excited for the chance to develop a National Urban Park through a new Parks Canada program. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

Colwood in the running for National Urban Park funding

Parks Canada pursuing new cities strategy with $130-million budget

Colwood has a number of parks already and is excited for the chance to develop a National Urban Park through a new Parks Canada program. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
Proposed designs for an all-abilities playground redevelopment at Stadacona Park shed light on the need for recreational spaces with increased inclusivity. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)

All-abilities playground proposed for Victoria’s Stadacona Park

City councillor says making parks more inclusive is a priority

Proposed designs for an all-abilities playground redevelopment at Stadacona Park shed light on the need for recreational spaces with increased inclusivity. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)
Through the practice known as forest bathing, we can still our mind from its regular chatter, see and experience what’s right before us, and deepen our Natural Intelligence, and with it our respect for the forest, and its flora and fauna.

Bathing the senses: Finding calm in a forest connection

As you step into the Mount Douglas forest, breathe deeply, touch the…

  • Aug 9, 2021
Through the practice known as forest bathing, we can still our mind from its regular chatter, see and experience what’s right before us, and deepen our Natural Intelligence, and with it our respect for the forest, and its flora and fauna.
Plans for the south portion of Topaz Park include new bike and skate parks, and other future amenities. Council voted to proceed with the proposed design, as well as the replacement of the artificial turf at Finlayson Field, at its Aug. 5 committee meeting. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)

Victoria council approves new skate, bike park, turf replacement at Topaz Park

Public largely supports overall plans for space, according to survey

Plans for the south portion of Topaz Park include new bike and skate parks, and other future amenities. Council voted to proceed with the proposed design, as well as the replacement of the artificial turf at Finlayson Field, at its Aug. 5 committee meeting. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)
Sooke district council eyes a development plan for John Phillips Memorial Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

John Phillips park lease goes to negative vote

Sooke Lions Club community centre proposal moves ahead unless 10% of residents oppose

Sooke district council eyes a development plan for John Phillips Memorial Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Saanich Commonwealth Place goes above and beyond with its pool facility that includes a competition pool, wave pool, dive tank and shallow tot pool, plus a steam room and sauna.

Golf, swim + explore: Saanich park, pool and golf course named Best of the City

It will come as little surprise to locals that Saanich is among…

  • Aug 2, 2021
Saanich Commonwealth Place goes above and beyond with its pool facility that includes a competition pool, wave pool, dive tank and shallow tot pool, plus a steam room and sauna.