parks

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.
Ready to explore Saanich's beaches? Here are a few sandy spaces awaiting discovery… starting with the family-favourite Cadboro-Gyro Park.

Life’s just beach-y in Saanich this summer!

While Saanich boasts some of the region’s most popular beaches, including those…

  • Aug 2, 2021
Ready to explore Saanich's beaches? Here are a few sandy spaces awaiting discovery… starting with the family-favourite Cadboro-Gyro Park.
Three of the movies included at this year’s Free-B Film Fest: Tammy and the T-Rex (1994), Moonraker (1979) and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). (freebfilmfest.com)

Free-B Film Festival moves to Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park

Low-budget movies and cult classics will hit the big screen Friday and Saturday nights

Three of the movies included at this year’s Free-B Film Fest: Tammy and the T-Rex (1994), Moonraker (1979) and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). (freebfilmfest.com)
Bridge Way (shown in blue) in Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park will reopen to vehicles in about a month. (Photo courtesy of the City of Victoria)

One road in Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park to reopen to vehicles

Bridge Way will become a two-way road, opening to vehicles in about a month

Bridge Way (shown in blue) in Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park will reopen to vehicles in about a month. (Photo courtesy of the City of Victoria)
Saanich offers ample opportunity to connect with friends, family and nature, and boost our wellness in the process. Saanich Recreation photo

Discover Saanich Parks: Creations connections for generations

Can a getaway be as close as the local park? Definitely –…

  • Jul 26, 2021
Saanich offers ample opportunity to connect with friends, family and nature, and boost our wellness in the process. Saanich Recreation photo
A spokesperson for NAV Canada says it has redundancies and procedures in place to preserve the safety of local airspace in the event of fire impacting the radar dome in LAU, WELNEW/John Dean Provincial Park. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Fire in North Saanich park won’t affect local airspace safety: NAV Canada

Non-profit operates radar dome, other equipment in LAU, WELNEW/John Dean Provincial Park

A spokesperson for NAV Canada says it has redundancies and procedures in place to preserve the safety of local airspace in the event of fire impacting the radar dome in LAU, WELNEW/John Dean Provincial Park. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
People can get a look at some of Colwood’s concepts for Ocean View Park as part of the city’s Parks Management Plan on Wednesday, July 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. (Photo courtesy of the City of Colwood)

Residents weighing in on the future of Colwood parks

City gathered feedback at Colwood Creek and Lookout Lake parks; Ocean View up next July 21

People can get a look at some of Colwood’s concepts for Ocean View Park as part of the city’s Parks Management Plan on Wednesday, July 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. (Photo courtesy of the City of Colwood)
Saanich boasts amazing cultivated spaces, such as Gorge Waterway Park. A visit offers a vital time to relax and soak in the wonders of nature.

Stop and smell the roses … and rhodos, azaleas and more in Saanich Parks!

Creative horticultural teams create inspired – and inspiring – spaces for all to enjoy

  • Jul 19, 2021
Saanich boasts amazing cultivated spaces, such as Gorge Waterway Park. A visit offers a vital time to relax and soak in the wonders of nature.
The Kings Park green space in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

Helping fund Saanich park purchase an option for Oak Bay council

Saanich seeks between $60,000 and $90,000 from Oak Bay toward keeping Kings park whole

The Kings Park green space in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria council seeks to reopen a section of Bridge Way in Beacon Hill Park to vehicle traffic. The roadway has been closed since last year due to distancing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy City of Victoria)

Victoria looking into reopening Beacon Hill Park road to traffic

Staff will report to council on July 22 with road reopening plan

Victoria council seeks to reopen a section of Bridge Way in Beacon Hill Park to vehicle traffic. The roadway has been closed since last year due to distancing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy City of Victoria)
The view from Oak Bay’s island park Mary Tod Island or Kohweechela. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

PHOTOS: The view from Kohweechela – Oak Bay’s island park

Officially known as Mary Tod Island, it’s frequently referred to as Jimmy Chicken Island

The view from Oak Bay’s island park Mary Tod Island or Kohweechela. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)