parks

The central meadow in Uplands Park is closed to walkers for the fourth consecutive year in order to protect at-risk plants. (Wylie Thomas photo)

Oak Bay asks Uplands visitors to stick to trails, stay out of central meadow

It’s up to guests to protect Garry oak meadow at risk

The central meadow in Uplands Park is closed to walkers for the fourth consecutive year in order to protect at-risk plants. (Wylie Thomas photo)
Saanich Parks and Recreation received a digital communications award for its Natural Intelligence campaign encouraging residents to spend more time outdoors in places like Cuthbert Holmes Park. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich Parks recognized for getting green message out

Natural Intelligence campaign encouraged residents to spend more time outdoors

Saanich Parks and Recreation received a digital communications award for its Natural Intelligence campaign encouraging residents to spend more time outdoors in places like Cuthbert Holmes Park. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Gerald Harris, Friends of Bowker Creek, Chris Hyde-Lay, parks manager for Oak Bay and Ron Carter, a member of Friends of Uplands Park and an originator of Tree Appreciation Day, plan the swath of land that will be planted Nov. 7. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Tree day event builds on Oak Bay’s urban forest

Nov. 7, residents can plant native riparian species, learn from the pros

Gerald Harris, Friends of Bowker Creek, Chris Hyde-Lay, parks manager for Oak Bay and Ron Carter, a member of Friends of Uplands Park and an originator of Tree Appreciation Day, plan the swath of land that will be planted Nov. 7. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Dogs are limited to on-leash use in Uplands Park in Oak Bay, thought not everyone notices, or pays attention to the signage. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Damage unleashed on sensitive Oak Bay park as dog popularity rises

Consultant recommends off-leash area at Uplands Park, ambassadors, trail improvements

Dogs are limited to on-leash use in Uplands Park in Oak Bay, thought not everyone notices, or pays attention to the signage. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Darrell Wick, president of the Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society, said recent habitat upgrades are designed to boost salmon spawning success. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich resident working to protect Mt. Douglas Park’s delicate ecosystems

Upgrades to Douglas Creek help restore habitat, but there is more to be done

Darrell Wick, president of the Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society, said recent habitat upgrades are designed to boost salmon spawning success. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
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

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)
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

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

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)
Ocean views at Pierce Woods Marine Park in Lantzville. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Lantzville purchases waterfront property as new marine park

Three-hectare Pierce Woods Marine Park located on Sabre Road

Ocean views at Pierce Woods Marine Park in Lantzville. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)