parks

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)
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)
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)
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)
Sooke district council eyes a development plan for John Phillips Memorial Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Lions eye community centre at John Phillips Park in Sooke

Council cannot OK a lease without the approval of electors

Sooke district council eyes a development plan for John Phillips Memorial Park. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Habitat Acquisition Trust’s campaign to raise $1.4 million toward the purchase of Mountain Road Forest in Saanich for a new regional park is in its final days. (Black Press Media file photo)

Campaign to buy Saanich’s Mountain Road Forest nears deadline

Habitat Acquisition Trust hopeful of raising final $368,000 of $1.4-million goal by July 20

The Habitat Acquisition Trust’s campaign to raise $1.4 million toward the purchase of Mountain Road Forest in Saanich for a new regional park is in its final days. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kings Park borders three municipalities – Saanich, Oak Bay, and Victoria. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)

City of Victoria ready to donate $250,000 to Kings Road green space project

Victoria funds contingent on Oak Bay contribution to Saanich project

Kings Park borders three municipalities – Saanich, Oak Bay, and Victoria. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)
Performers from Theatre Skam entertain in Royal Athletic Park last year. The North Park Neighbourhood Association hosts Picnic in the Park, with Skam performing outdoors, this summer on Thursday evenings. (Photo courtesy North Park Neighbourhood Association)

Victoria neighbourhood benefits from opening up of Royal Athletic Park

Free community programs at stadium aim to further connect North Park residents

Performers from Theatre Skam entertain in Royal Athletic Park last year. The North Park Neighbourhood Association hosts Picnic in the Park, with Skam performing outdoors, this summer on Thursday evenings. (Photo courtesy North Park Neighbourhood Association)