parks

The Okanagan Mountain Park fire in 2003 burned 25,600 hectares, forced evacuations in Kelowna and Naramata impacting more than 33,000 people, and destroyed 239 homes. (File photo)

‘Save the rest of the city’: Reflecting on Okanagan Mountain Park 2003 wildfire

The Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire started Aug. 16, 2003, with a lightning strike

 

Kash Bakker, just 3-years-old was killed when a tree fell on him at Okanagan Lake Provincial Park campground on July 29. (GoFundMe page)

Fundraiser launched for family of toddler killed at Okanagan campground

A 3-year-old boy was killed by a falling tree at Okanagan Lake provincial park

 

B.C. Parks released a statement saying a child dead after being struck by a falling tree at a Okanagan Lake Provincial Park Saturday. (Google Maps)

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.’s Okanagan region

BC Parks says the child was at a campground at Okanagan Lake Provincial Park Saturday

 

Grasslands known as Bunchgrass Hills, south of Kamloops, B.C., are shown in a handout photo. More than 60 square kilometres of at-risk grassland in British Columbia’s southern Interior will be protected forever, as part of the newest conservation project in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nature Conservancy of Canada

Protection coming for large tract of threatened grassland south of Kamloops

Bunchgrass Hills protection secures vital habitat and safe pathways for dozens of species

Grasslands known as Bunchgrass Hills, south of Kamloops, B.C., are shown in a handout photo. More than 60 square kilometres of at-risk grassland in British Columbia’s southern Interior will be protected forever, as part of the newest conservation project in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nature Conservancy of Canada
Hikers check the official Capital Regional District park map during a hike in Sea to Sea Regional Park in Sooke. This summer the CRD reminds park visitors to follow simple park etiquette such as staying on official, sanctioned trails. (Courtesy CRD Parks)

Capital Regional District urges visitors to stick to official trails, practise park etiquette

Summer awareness campaign also targets littering, smoking in parks

Hikers check the official Capital Regional District park map during a hike in Sea to Sea Regional Park in Sooke. This summer the CRD reminds park visitors to follow simple park etiquette such as staying on official, sanctioned trails. (Courtesy CRD Parks)
Looking out at the ocean from East Sooke Regional Park. All of the CRD’s 33 parks have been recognized in a federal database for protected and conserved areas. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

CRD parks now recognized in federal protected areas database

Feds aim for 30 per cent of Canada to be conserved by 2030

Looking out at the ocean from East Sooke Regional Park. All of the CRD’s 33 parks have been recognized in a federal database for protected and conserved areas. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Susan Haddon of the Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association happily reports that Rutley will remain in ‘pink elephant park’ after park upgrades that include a new playground, splash park and restroom building. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Meet Rutley, trashcan-turned-icon of ‘pink elephant park’ in Saanich

District, advocates expect coming revamp will celebrate the 1960s concrete critter

Susan Haddon of the Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association happily reports that Rutley will remain in ‘pink elephant park’ after park upgrades that include a new playground, splash park and restroom building. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Andrea Carey stands in front of a Allenby Park, which was recently renovated. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

‘Missed opportunities’: Saanich park renovation excludes people with disabilities: advocate

Andrea Carey is an advocate and mother and feels Saanich missed opportunities for inclusivity

Andrea Carey stands in front of a Allenby Park, which was recently renovated. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Colwood council has approved draft park management plans for Havenwood and Latoria Creek parks, setting them up for a final round of public input before they are returned to council for final approval in March. (Courtesy City of Colwood)

Colwood residents to get final say in parks plans

Move follows council approving draft parks management plans for Havenwood and Latoria Creek parks

Colwood council has approved draft park management plans for Havenwood and Latoria Creek parks, setting them up for a final round of public input before they are returned to council for final approval in March. (Courtesy City of Colwood)
The 40-acre Maris Estates oceanfront property has been gifted to the Comox Valley Regional District through the federal Ecological Gifts Program. Photo supplied

40 acres of oceanfront property donated to Comox Valley Regional District to create a park

The Comox Valley Regional District has received a donation of 40 acres…

The 40-acre Maris Estates oceanfront property has been gifted to the Comox Valley Regional District through the federal Ecological Gifts Program. Photo supplied
The District of Saanich is inviting residents to provide their input on a new park along Kings Road through two public engagement events. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich seeks public input as new park envisioned on former BC Hydro lands

Two pubic engagement events to guide land use

The District of Saanich is inviting residents to provide their input on a new park along Kings Road through two public engagement events. (Black Press Media file photo)
Local artist Jesse Campbell is leading the painting of a mural adjacent to Layritz Park’s soccer turf field in Saanich. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Mural takes shape at Layritz Park in Saanich

Next phase of community canvas mural project to emphasize community-led murals

Local artist Jesse Campbell is leading the painting of a mural adjacent to Layritz Park’s soccer turf field in Saanich. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Terry Dance-Bennink speaks to seniors during a rally in support of a senior-friendly park at the former S.J. Willis Junior High School field in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. The protesters say they are being shut out of open green space near their homes, while the city recently opened a new skateboard park for youth in the area. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Victoria seniors stage protest at vacant school field, seeking park space for elders

100 seniors, many using walkers and motorized scooters, point to emphasis on rec space for youth

Terry Dance-Bennink speaks to seniors during a rally in support of a senior-friendly park at the former S.J. Willis Junior High School field in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. The protesters say they are being shut out of open green space near their homes, while the city recently opened a new skateboard park for youth in the area. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his wife Summer Wilson laugh while speaking after announcing a $100 million donation to preserve and protect B.C.’s natural spaces through their Wilson 5 Foundation, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson gifts $100M to help preserve B.C.’s nature

Lululemon Athletica Inc. founder and billionaire Chip Wilson is donating $100 million…

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his wife Summer Wilson laugh while speaking after announcing a $100 million donation to preserve and protect B.C.’s natural spaces through their Wilson 5 Foundation, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Skateboarder Francis Lemoy rides the railing in the new Topaz skate park. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: New Topaz skate and bike parks open in Victoria

New facilities designed with accessibility, inclusion in mind

Skateboarder Francis Lemoy rides the railing in the new Topaz skate park. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
The Sooke Lions Club is hosting an open house on Sept. 25 to discuss plans for a multi-use community facility at John Phillips Memorial Park. (District of Sooke)

In Sooke, public has opportunity to voice opinion on controversial park plan

Sooke Lions Club to host Sept. 25 open house

The Sooke Lions Club is hosting an open house on Sept. 25 to discuss plans for a multi-use community facility at John Phillips Memorial Park. (District of Sooke)
Saanich council moves forward on the WSANEC Leadership Council’s request to restore the traditional Indigenous name of PKOLS to Mount Douglas Park. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Reclaim the name: Saanich park to return to its Indigenous title, PKOLS

Name restoration jointly supported by Saanich, WSANEC Leadership Council

Saanich council moves forward on the WSANEC Leadership Council’s request to restore the traditional Indigenous name of PKOLS to Mount Douglas Park. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Mill Hill Regional Park has grown by 9.8 hectares after a land deal between the CRD and Town of View Royal. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD expands Mill Hill park with land from View Royal

Town sold 9.8 hectares of land bordering the park

Mill Hill Regional Park has grown by 9.8 hectares after a land deal between the CRD and Town of View Royal. (Black Press Media file photo)
The City of Colwood is seeking public input on an update to the Havenwood Park management plan and for a new Latoria Creek Park plan until Sept. 5. (Courtesy of City of Colwood)

Colwood seeks public input on parks management plans

Questionnaires available online and at city hall until Sept. 5

The City of Colwood is seeking public input on an update to the Havenwood Park management plan and for a new Latoria Creek Park plan until Sept. 5. (Courtesy of City of Colwood)
The CRD has approved the 2022-2032 Regional Parks and Trails Plan as it plans to improve the function, resilience and use of the natural areas. Pictured is Thetis Lake Regional Park. (Courtesy CRD)

CRD sets 10-year vision for regional park actions

Strategy puts focus on climate change, reconciliation, conservation

The CRD has approved the 2022-2032 Regional Parks and Trails Plan as it plans to improve the function, resilience and use of the natural areas. Pictured is Thetis Lake Regional Park. (Courtesy CRD)