parks

The playground at Hamsterly Beach on Elk Lake was closed in mid-May so crews could begin dismantling the old structure to make way for a new nature playground. (Image via the Capital Regional District)

CRD replacing Saanich playground with new nature play area

Existing Hamsterly Beach structure dismantled, construction expected to conclude in late fall

The playground at Hamsterly Beach on Elk Lake was closed in mid-May so crews could begin dismantling the old structure to make way for a new nature playground. (Image via the Capital Regional District)
Water starts flowing for the summer season at Nanaimo’s four water parks Saturday, May 22. (News Bulletin file photo)

City will turn on taps at Nanaimo water parks over May long weekend

Water starts flowing Saturday, May 22, in Nanaimo’s four water parks

Water starts flowing for the summer season at Nanaimo’s four water parks Saturday, May 22. (News Bulletin file photo)
Sheba, Spencer, Bronson and Sasha (left to right) peeked outside hoping for playtime outside Uplands Park in 2011. (Black Press Media file photo)

Pooches now permitted on Cadboro-Gyro Park paths in Saanich, pop-up dog parks in works

Council to consider mandatory leashing in parks with sensitive environments May 31

Sheba, Spencer, Bronson and Sasha (left to right) peeked outside hoping for playtime outside Uplands Park in 2011. (Black Press Media file photo)
Howard English Hatchery volunteer Joscilyn Jupp poured one of many buckets of salmon fry into Douglas Creek on May 11, 2021. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

35,000 salmon fry released in Saanich park during closed event

Chum from Goldstream Hatchery trucked in to restore Douglas Creek salmon spawning

Howard English Hatchery volunteer Joscilyn Jupp poured one of many buckets of salmon fry into Douglas Creek on May 11, 2021. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
An off-leash dog plays with a ball in Vernon, B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

More leash restrictions, dog park called for in wake of Saanich attack

Fenced dog run in Cadboro-Gyro Park would take pressure off beach, other parks, association says

An off-leash dog plays with a ball in Vernon, B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
The artist rendered Sadie with a few more ribs and wrinkles than she had in real life, and with the fading of her paint she looks a little sad. But real-life Sadie was an energetic hunting dog, her owner Cliff Curtis said. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

Dog sculpture at Glen Lake Park based off a happy hunting hound

Sadie the dog was not as old as the concrete art looks almost 20 years later

The artist rendered Sadie with a few more ribs and wrinkles than she had in real life, and with the fading of her paint she looks a little sad. But real-life Sadie was an energetic hunting dog, her owner Cliff Curtis said. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
A food truck operated by the Songhees First Nation can often be found at the Inner Harbour and in other parts of Greater Victoria. (Songhees Event and Catering/Facebook)

Saanich considers rolling out food truck pilot program this summer

Temporary permits would allow up to two food trucks in five parks

A food truck operated by the Songhees First Nation can often be found at the Inner Harbour and in other parts of Greater Victoria. (Songhees Event and Catering/Facebook)
Workers erect fences around Italian Square Park Thursday morning, after city bylaws officers and police asked people experiencing homelessness to move out. Jake Rudolph, Nanaimo’s chief administrative officer, said a growing congregation of people camping overnight in the park prompted complaints that spurred the city to take action. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo fences off downtown park due to people experiencing homelessness

Complaints about gatherings, overnight camping and safety concerns trigger city response

Workers erect fences around Italian Square Park Thursday morning, after city bylaws officers and police asked people experiencing homelessness to move out. Jake Rudolph, Nanaimo’s chief administrative officer, said a growing congregation of people camping overnight in the park prompted complaints that spurred the city to take action. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
(Photo: courtesy Adam Hunter)

Vandals destroy dozens of trees and shrubs along Nanaimo walkway

City of Nanaimo’s urban forestry coordinator expects the municipality will re-plant

(Photo: courtesy Adam Hunter)
Where the Dude Chilling Park sign used to live. (Cara McKenna/Twitter)

Famous Dude Chilling Park sign stolen again in East Vancouver

The Parks Board will replace the apparently popular sign for at least the third time

Where the Dude Chilling Park sign used to live. (Cara McKenna/Twitter)
(Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Restoration work stabilizes heritage Morden Mine tipple south of Nanaimo

Concrete poured, scaffolding coming down at Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park

(Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Saanich has awarded the tender for a youth bike skills park planned for the lot next to the George Tripp BC Hydro Substation off Lochside Drive to Bike Track Ltd. for $242,000. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich selects company to build youth bike skills track at Tripp Station Park

More than $240,000 allotted for Bike Track Ltd. to design bike park

Saanich has awarded the tender for a youth bike skills park planned for the lot next to the George Tripp BC Hydro Substation off Lochside Drive to Bike Track Ltd. for $242,000. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes and Katie Blake, executive director of the Habitat Acquisition Trust, are calling on the community to help raise $1 million by April 22 to purchase the Mountain Road Forest and create a new regional park. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich mayor, Habitat Acquisition Trust call on residents to help raise $1M for new regional park by Earth Day

100-day deadline set to secure CRD’s $3.4-million urban forest purchase

Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes and Katie Blake, executive director of the Habitat Acquisition Trust, are calling on the community to help raise $1 million by April 22 to purchase the Mountain Road Forest and create a new regional park. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe

Into The Wild With Writer George Mercer

A passion for parks sets the backdrop for novel series

  • Jan 6, 2021
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe
Saanich police are investigating a report of a sexual assault that occurred on Dec. 29 at Glanford Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich police investigating sexual assault in Glanford Park

A 19-year-old woman was attacked Dec. 29

Saanich police are investigating a report of a sexual assault that occurred on Dec. 29 at Glanford Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
The City of Victoria is closing Central Park for ‘remediation’ on Jan. 4. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria closing Central Park for remediation following campers, wet weather

Park will be closed Jan. 4 until further notice

The City of Victoria is closing Central Park for ‘remediation’ on Jan. 4. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Capital Regional District and Island Health has advised against swimming in or drinking water from both Elk and Beaver Lakes after toxic blue-green algae blooms were reported. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD expands blue-green algae alert to include Elk Lake

Blue-green algae can cause health complications in humans, pets

The Capital Regional District and Island Health has advised against swimming in or drinking water from both Elk and Beaver Lakes after toxic blue-green algae blooms were reported. (Black Press Media file photo)
Large logs that once bordered Mount Douglas Park were recently chopped up and removed from the park – despite bylaws banning the actions – leaving behind a trail of sawdust. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)

Wood snatchers illegally chop, smuggle logs out of Saanich park

Parks bylaw prohibits removing wood, using chainsaws in parks

Large logs that once bordered Mount Douglas Park were recently chopped up and removed from the park – despite bylaws banning the actions – leaving behind a trail of sawdust. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)
Parking fees at Sooke Potholes Regional Park will be going up at some point, but not without further discussion. Capital Regional District directors asked CRD staff to come back with alternatives after they proposed increasing the $2.25 per day rate to $7 for 2021. (TJ Watt photo)

Greater Victoria politicians ditch plan for $7 daily parking at two regional parks

Capital Regional District directors fear backlash from parks users

Parking fees at Sooke Potholes Regional Park will be going up at some point, but not without further discussion. Capital Regional District directors asked CRD staff to come back with alternatives after they proposed increasing the $2.25 per day rate to $7 for 2021. (TJ Watt photo)
Mark’s Nature Park in Parksville has been closed following a fire on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. (PQB News file photo)

Parksville nature park closed following ‘extensive’ blaze

City crews conducting hazard assessment

Mark’s Nature Park in Parksville has been closed following a fire on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. (PQB News file photo)