parks

The Capital Regional District is considering adding another dollar a year to the parkland acquisition fund fee for homeowners. (Black Press Media file photo)

One dollar or two? Greater Victoria parks acquisition fee hike spurs debate

$2 a year too steep, CRD committee recommends $1 a year increase per household

The Capital Regional District is considering adding another dollar a year to the parkland acquisition fund fee for homeowners. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke mayor Maja Tait brought a pair of scissors to commemorate the official opening of the 6.5-km Stickleback Urban Trail on Thursday, Oct. 15. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

New urban trail connects Sooke residents to Galloping Goose

Stickleback Urban Trail stretches 6.5 km from Clarkson Park

Sooke mayor Maja Tait brought a pair of scissors to commemorate the official opening of the 6.5-km Stickleback Urban Trail on Thursday, Oct. 15. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Dotted line shows the border of property in the Cedar Hill neighbourhood donated to the District of Saanich from the estate of the late Brian Patriquin, whose residence at 1360 Queensbury St. has been the family home for three generations. (Photo courtesy District of Saanich)

Wetland property next to Saanich home donated for parkland through will

Brian Patriquin gained a love of nature and the environment spending time at Cedar Hill property

Dotted line shows the border of property in the Cedar Hill neighbourhood donated to the District of Saanich from the estate of the late Brian Patriquin, whose residence at 1360 Queensbury St. has been the family home for three generations. (Photo courtesy District of Saanich)
Saanich council voted in favour of an exploratory report looking at options for adding socializing shelters to local parks. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich explores options for adding shelters to parks

Covered areas would encourage safe outdoor socializing during rainy season

Saanich council voted in favour of an exploratory report looking at options for adding socializing shelters to local parks. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dorothy Chambers, with the Salmon in the City program, counts returning salmon in Colquitz River.

Celebrate the fall salmon run right here in Saanich!

Viewing and volunteer opportunities support salmon in the city

  • Sep 21, 2020
Dorothy Chambers, with the Salmon in the City program, counts returning salmon in Colquitz River.
Saanich parks are for the birds!

Saanich parks are for the birds!

Discover this popular pastime and get to know your feathered friends

  • Sep 14, 2020
Saanich parks are for the birds!
Saanich council will consider a report from Coun. Zac de Vries calling for up to six park shelters to be added across the municipality to extend park-use into the rainy season. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich council to look at adding park shelters for safe outdoor socializing during adverse weather

Covered areas would permit safe socializing during ‘endless rain’ season, resident says

Saanich council will consider a report from Coun. Zac de Vries calling for up to six park shelters to be added across the municipality to extend park-use into the rainy season. (Black Press Media file photo)
Construction is underway in Saanich’s Horner Park and a variety of upgrades are on the way. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Accessible equipment, new looping paths among upgrades planned for Saanich Park

Horner Park closed for construction

Construction is underway in Saanich’s Horner Park and a variety of upgrades are on the way. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Soil removed during construction of the McKenzie Interchange has been repurposed into a berm with a walking path along the side of the highway. (Photo courtesy Colin Plant)

Excess soil from McKenzie interchange repurposed into berm, walking path

Landscaping, trees to be added this fall, ministry says

Soil removed during construction of the McKenzie Interchange has been repurposed into a berm with a walking path along the side of the highway. (Photo courtesy Colin Plant)
Have fun, get messy and explore!

Have fun, get messy and explore!

10 top tips for learning outside with children

  • Sep 7, 2020
Have fun, get messy and explore!
The Churchill Drive gate just past the parking lot in Mount Douglas Park will be closed over the Labour Day long weekend due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society/Twitter)

Mount Douglas Park closed to vehicle traffic over Labour Day long weekend

Churchill Drive gate to close Sept. 5 to 7

The Churchill Drive gate just past the parking lot in Mount Douglas Park will be closed over the Labour Day long weekend due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society/Twitter)
A discarded syringe found in Rutledge park in January. More safe disposal options are needed for discarded syringes, says SOLID operations coordinator Fred Cameron, after another needle was found, this time after poking a 15-year-old Sooke boy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke mother calls for action after 15-year-old poked by discarded syringe in Saanich park

Discarded needle poke in Saanich park points to need for safe disposal options: SOLID

A discarded syringe found in Rutledge park in January. More safe disposal options are needed for discarded syringes, says SOLID operations coordinator Fred Cameron, after another needle was found, this time after poking a 15-year-old Sooke boy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Discover Saanich’s hidden gems

Discover Saanich’s hidden gems

Volunteers pull together to support these natural landscapes

  • Aug 17, 2020
Discover Saanich’s hidden gems
The staircase heading to Sooke Bluffs has been closed to the public until further notice, after being deemed a ‘high risk.’ (Google Maps)

Sooke Bluffs staircase closed due to rot

District to consider replacement for ‘high risk’ staircase in fall

The staircase heading to Sooke Bluffs has been closed to the public until further notice, after being deemed a ‘high risk.’ (Google Maps)
Take a tour of Saanich’s significant trees

Take a tour of Saanich’s significant trees

We know that spending time in nature is essential to our wellness…

  • Aug 10, 2020
Take a tour of Saanich’s significant trees
Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star) Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

North Okanagan man chains himself to tree in protest of construction

Crews began work clearing space for a new facility Thursday, Aug. 6

Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star) Lavington resident Dave Pope chained himself to a tree in the park across from the local elementary school Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in protest against use of park space for the construction of a child care facility. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
People enjoy the Saanich Cycling Festival on May 5th, 2019.

Your 2-day Saanich staycation: Hike, pedal and paddle!

Where will your summer travels take you? While many of us are…

  • Aug 3, 2020
People enjoy the Saanich Cycling Festival on May 5th, 2019.
Your Saanich beach day begins here!

Your Saanich beach day begins here!

Here in Saanich, virtually any day makes for a good beach day,…

  • Jul 27, 2020
Your Saanich beach day begins here!
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park.. (Black Press Media files)

BC Parks considering a day-use pass system for popular locations to avoid overcrowding

Although some parks have reopened, B.C.’s busiest parks have remained shut

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park.. (Black Press Media files)
Celebrate summer in Saanich parks: Explore your own backyard!

Celebrate summer in Saanich parks: Explore your own backyard!

If Saanich residents didn’t already know about the amazing array of parks…

  • Jul 20, 2020
Celebrate summer in Saanich parks: Explore your own backyard!