parks for all
seasons Making A Difference...
CRD PARKS
2011
Things to Do
picnic
fishing
P. 6, 8, 12, 15, 14
P. 8, 12, 15, 14
beach access
sight seeing
P. 5, 6, 15
P. 5, 7, 8, 10, 14
toilet
swimming
P. 6, 7, 15, 14
biking
P. 8, 9, 15,14
P. 8, 12, 15, 14
horse riding
Park Reserves
Albert Head Lagoon... 4 East Sooke................. 6 Devonian.................... 5 East Point................... 6 Witty’s Lagoon......... 14 Island View Beach... 10
Ayum Creek .......... 15 Mill Farm ................ 15 Mount Wells .......... 15 Sooke Hills............... 15
seasons
P. 5, 6, 10, 15
Making A Difference...
index Beaches and Coastal
parks for all
Forest Francis/King............ 7 East Sooke............. 6 Thetis Lake........... 14 Roche Cove ........ 13
Trails Galloping Goose ... 8
Gulf Islands East Point................ 6 Mount Norman...... 12 Mount parke.......... 12
Lake/ Recreation Elk/Beaver Lake...... 7 Thetis Lake........... .14 Matheson Lake..... 11
Hilltop Bear Hill .................... 4 Gonzales Hill............. 9 Horth Hill................... 9 Lone Tree Hill.......... 10 Mill Hill..................... 11 Mount Norman........ 12 Mount Parke............ 12 Mount Work............. 12
FourinSeasons CRD Parks In March, shooting star wildflowers explode across the slopes of Mill Hill. On a hot August afternoon, a harbour seal breaks the surface in Coles Bay, scans the shoreline, and vanishes. On a cool October morning, a bald eagle swoops low, looking for fish in Witty’s Lagoon. After a December downpour, water droplets glisten on sword ferns in Mount Work. Here, not long ago, Aboriginal peoples trapped migrating salmon, hunted elk, and dug camas bulbs. The Coast Salish people crafted baskets, clothing, and
canoes from cedar and moved quietly with the seasons.
marsh, lagoon, hilltop, beach, and dune – in 25 CRD parks.
In 1842, James Douglas claimed the land for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Over one hundred and fifty years and 250,000 people later, much has changed—including the original landscape.
Our mandate is to manage these heritage lands for present and future generations. To assist us in this goal, we offer parks for a variety of recreational uses, from protected wilderness to creation in a natural setting. Read on to find brief descriptions of each park.
Today, the Capital Regional District (CRD) protects and preserves more than 8,100 hectares of spectacular and easily accessible coastal and island landscapes— rocky coast, lake, forest,
xplore. e d n a Come is is your ! e Th heritag l a r u t a N
CRD Parks 1 Albert Head Lagoon 2 Bear Hill 3 Coles Bay 4 Devonian 5 East Point 6 East Sooke 7 Elk/Beaver Lake 8 Francis/King 9 Galloping Goose Trail 10 Gonzales Hill 11 Horth Hill 12 Island View Beach 13 Lone tree hill
Body of water
14 Matheson Lake 15 Mill Hill 16 Mount Norman 17 Mount Parke 18 Mount Work 19 Roche Cove 20 Thetis Lake 21 Witty’s Lagoon 22 Ayum Creek 23 Mill Farm 24 Mount Wells 25 Sooke Hills Wilderness
Road Park Area
Mayne Island 19 Salt Spring Island 16
Saturna 6 Island South Pender Island
12 North Saanich 4
NORTH
Central Saanich 13 21 3
Highlands 23 23 Vancouver Island
10
Area of Map
Sooke 4 8
2
12km
14 24 17
Langford
8 9
Colwood 20 251 22 5 15
Saanich 10 Oak Bay 11 Victoria View Royal
7 Metchosin
1
albert head lagoon
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P
Delgada Rd
Royal Bay
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To Victoria
Oldfield Road
Elk Lake
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(17)
To Sidney & Swartz Bay
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To Victoria
Central Saanich road
Say
Size: 49 hectares ( 121 acres ) Activities: hiking, horse riding, sightseeing Facilities: parking, trails Acquired: 1970
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CRD Parks For All Seasons
Brookleigh Road
Located at Bear Hill Rd in Saanich
Bear hill Road
P
bear hill
Wander along the gentle forest trails of this hilltop park and enjoy: a profusion of wildflowers in the spring; mixed woodland of western red cedar, douglas fir, garry oak, and arbutus; views of the Saanich Peninsula and Haro Strait; trails for both hikers and horse riders; trail connections to Elk/ Beaver Lake Regional Park.
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Size: 7 hectares ( 17 acres ) Activities: bird watching, beachcombing Facilities: parking Acquired: 1978
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Albert Head Lagoon
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2
To Sooke
Located on Delgada Rd in Metchosin
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This small lagoon serves as a wildlife sanctuary and refuge for a variety of birds. It offers: a protected lagoon that attracts local ducks, geese and swans,as well as many varieties of migrating birds, a cobble beach to enjoy a picnic, beach comb, and bird watch, Views of Victoria and the distant Olympic Mountains.
5
Body of water Road Park Area
P
Parking Lot Hiking Trail
3
coles bay
Offers: a winding nature trail through towering cedar and along a quiet creek, a secluded bay for picnicking, birdwatching and beachcombing
North Saanich Size: 4 hectares (10 acres) Activities: birdwatching, hiking, picnicking Facilities: trails, parking, picnic tables, pit toilets Acquired: 1966
Inverness Road Mctavish Road
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Pat Bay Highway (17)
Located on the western side of the Saanich Peninsula, this small park offers a quiet refuge.
To Sidney & Swartz Bay
To Deep Cove
P
West Saanich Road
Coles Bay
To Victoria
Located on Inverness Rd in
CRD Parks For All Seasons
6
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Size: 13 hectares (32 acres) Activities: hiking, horse riding, birdwatching, beachcombing, nature study Facilities: parking, trils, pit toilets Acquired: 1980
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Offers: a gentle walking trail through mixed woodland and along a winding creek, a cobble beach for picnicking and beachcombing, birdwatching at Sherwood Pond, and views of the Olympics, Race Rocks and Juan De Fuca Strait
Located on William Head Rd in Metchosin
Ro
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Tucked between Metchosin farmlands, come see this small nature sanctuary.
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devonian
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Perry Bay
east point
Tunbo Channel Road
Size: 2.5 hectares ( 6.2 acres) Activities: strolling, sightseeing, photography Facilities: parking, pit toilets Acquired: 1996
east sooke
Offers: 50 km of trails through forest, marsh and field, 10 km of rugged coastline trail, pocket beaches, rocky bays and islets for beachcombing, scuba diving and exploring tide pools views of juan De Fuca Strait and the Olympics.
East Point
6 Ea s t
Sooke Basin
Soo k
To Sooke Road
Size: 1,424 hectares (5.5 sq. mi.) Activities: hiking, nature study, birdwatching, photography, beachcombing, picnicking Facilities: parking, pit toilets, picnic tables, trails Acquired: 1966
7
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Scoke Inlet
Located off East Sooke Rd in East Sooke
CRD Parks For All Seasons
P
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Discover the place where the West Coast begins, where the forest meets the sea, and trees cling to windswept cliffs.
Saturna Island
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Located on Tumbo Channel Rd on Saturna Island
Georgia Strait
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This former lighthouse property along the sculpted shore of Saturna Island includes shelves of sandstone rock in the intertidal zone, a small pocket beach and shell midden exposed along the cliffs, spectacular views of the Strait of Georgia, the San Juan Islands, and the Cascade Mountains.
BC Ferries to Swartz Bay and Southern Gulf Islands
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Becher Bay Road
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Body of water Road Park Area
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Parking Lot Hiking Trail
elk/beaver lake
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Elk Lake Drive
To Victoria
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Size:113 hectares (279 acres) Activities: birdwatching, hiking, picnicking, nature study Facilities: nature house, pit toilets, parking, picnic tables Acquired: 1979
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Offers: 11km of gentle, woodland trails,spring wildflower meadows, a nature house and meeting room, the Elsie King Trail, a cedar boardwalk with access for people with walking disabilities, trail connections to Thetis Lake Regional Park
Jennings Lane
Beaver Lake
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Located on Munn Rd in Saanich
CRD Parks For All Seasons
Elk Lake
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This park is ideal for exploring the beauty of nature
Hamsterly Road
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Francis/King
Road
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Size: 411 hectares Activities: hiking, cycling, swimming, horse riding, birdwatching, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, fishing, nature study Facilities: parking, trails washrooms, swimming, concessions, boat launch, picnic tables, drinking water,
Sayward
Pat Bay Highway (17)
Offers: a large freshwater lake to enjoy swimming, canoeing and fishing, walking and bridle trails through forest, field and wetland, beaches, picnic areas and fishing pier with access for people with walking disabilities.
Located off the Pat Bay Highway (Hwy. 17)
Brookleigh Rd
Bear Hill Rd
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This popular recreation area offers outdoor opportunities for all!
To Sidney & Swartz Bay
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nada Highway Trans-Ca To Victoria
8
Road Park Area P
Accessible at numerous points along the trail ( 10 km section from Victoria to Colwood is paved). For a map, contact CRD Parks at (250) 478-3344 or at http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/index.htm
This former railway line offers a unique experience. The 57 km trail begins in Victoria and connects with Saanich, View royal, Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, and Sooke. Cyclists pedestrians, in-line skaters,and horse riders share the trail through urban neighbourhoods (paved trail), rolling farmland, into deep forest, and past rocky shoreline. Deer and raccoon, heron and hawk, squirrel and field mouse can be seen by the watchful eye
Parking Lot
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Hiking Trail
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galloping goose trail
9
Body of water
Soo
Sook River Road
Size: 57 km long Activities: cycling, hiking, walking, horse riding, in-line skating Facilities: parking, pit toilets, trail Acquired: 1987
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Sooke Basin
sCanad a Highway
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Helmcken Road
Aldeane Ave
Douglas Street
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Inner Harbour
am illi W Parry Bay
Quadra Street
JOHNSON STREET BRIDGE
Becher Bay Strait of Juan de Fuca
CRD Parks For All Seasons
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VICTORIA
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gonzales hill
A protected natural landscape in the heart of the city. Offers: unparalleled views of Victoria, Juan De Fuca Strait, the Olympic mountains, and the Sooke Hills; habitat for California quail, rare wildflowers and a stand of Garry oak trees; Gonzales Observatory, a weather station for 75 years, now a heritage building.
Located on a large rocky knoll on Denison Rd in Victoria/Oak Bay Size: 2 hectares (5 acres) Activities: sightseeing Facilities: parking Acquired: 1992
Fairfie
ld Rd Dallas Rd
Strait
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Wain Road
11
Oak Bay
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Victoria
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Tsehum Harbour
To Victoria
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Follow the summit trail of this hilltop park and enjoy panoramic views of Saanich Peninsula, Satellite Channel and Gulf Islands; a close-up view of wildflowers in the spring and mushrooms in the fall; trails for hikers and horse riders.
Denison Rd e riv h D c P a Be
of Juan De Fuc a
Cresent Road
CRD Parks For All Seasons
horth hill
10
Located on Tatlow Rd in North Saanich Size: 31 hectares (77 acres) Activities: hiking, horse riding birdwatching, sight seeing, Facilities: parking, trails, pit toilets Acquired: 1966
12
island view beach
To Sidney & Swatz Bay
Homathko Road P
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Located on Island View Rd in Central Sannich
Park Entrance
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Offers: a panorama of land and seascapes a long, sandy beach for beachcombing, picnicking, and swimming a fragile sand dune area, home to several rare and beautiful plants a boat launch for access to Cordova Channel and Haro Strait
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Island View Road
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Nestled along the eastern shore of the Sannich Peninsula.
lone tree hill
From the summit of this small park, view the Malahat, the Highlands, Victoria, and the distant Olympics. Look closer and find rare and beautiful plants nestled in the steep, dry rock faces bold eagles, ravens, red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures riding the winds Located on Millstream Rd in the Highlands
CRD Parks For All Seasons
11
Body of water Road Park Area
P
Parking Lot Hiking Trail
matheson lake Size: 162 hectares (400 acres)Activities: hiking, swimming, fishing Facilities: parking, trails, pit toilets Acquired: 1994
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Sooke Road
Walk through cool woodland, along Millstream Creak, or climb to the park’s summit.
Offers: delicate wildflowers and arbutus, douglas fir and garry oak, views of Esquimalt Harbour, Victoria, and the surrounding hills and mountains, park brochures and other information at CRD Parks headquarters next door, and a trail connecting with Thetis Lake Regional Park
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mill hill
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Matheson Lake Park Road
To East Sooke Regional Park
Located on Atkins Avenue in Langford Size: 50 hectares (124 acres) Activities: hiking and picnicking Facilities: parking lot, trails, pit toilets Acquired: 1981
CRD Parks For All Seasons
12
Trans-Canada Highway To Victoria To Duncan
Millstream Road
15
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Matheson Lake ky
Offers: picturesque lake set behind forested hills, several kilometres of trails including the Galloping Goose Regional Trail
Located on Matheson Lake Park Road in Metchosin
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This neighbour to Roche Cove Regional Park offers everything from nature appreciation to swimming and fishing.
To Victoria To Sooke
ins
P
Atk
Six Mile Road
Old Hig Islan d hw ay (1A )
14
16
mount norman
A hilltop in the quiet channels of the gulf Islands.
Offers: the highest viewpoint on South Pender views of other gulf islands, Vancouver Island,the lower mainland and Mount Baker connecting trails to Beaumont Provincial Marine Park
NORTH PENDER ISLAND Mackinnon Road
Located off canal Rd or off Ainslie point road on south Pender Island. BC Ferries to Swartz Bay and Southern Gulf Islands
Size: 101 hectares(250 acres) activities: hiking Facilities: parking, trails,pit toilets,viewpoint acquired: 1988
MAYNE ISLAND Fernhill Road BC Ferries to Swartz Bay and Other Southern Gulf Islands
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Village Bay Road
CRD Parks For All Seasons
St
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Montrose Road
Canal Road P P
Ainslie Point Road
17
Ge
Bedwell Harbour Road
mount parke
Located on Mayne Island in the Gulf Islands this Park offers the highest viewpoint on Mayne views of other gulf islands and the lower mainland a variety of wildflowers and birds to observe while hiking the ridge and slopes of Mount Parke.
13
South Pender Island
Located off Montrose Rd on Mayne Island. Size: 40 hectares(99 acres) Activities: hiking facilities: parking, trails,pit toilets, viewpoint Acquired:1992
Body of water Road Park Area
P
Parking Lot Hiking Trail
This popular recreation spot offers a variety of landscapes and activities.
P
Located off Willia Point Rd in the Highlands Size: 536 hectares (1,325 acres) Activities: hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, Facilities: trails, parking, pit toilets Acquired: 1970
Offers: Three freshwater lakes — Durrance, Fork, and Peace — for swimming, canoeing, and fishing, 11 km of trails through forest to the summit of Mount Work..
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Ross/Durrance Road
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To Royal Oak To Victoria E
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To Sooke
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Sooke Basin
roche cove
Hike along a cool creek at midday or paddle the waters in early morning light, and relax.
P
Offers: Serenity and seclusion on a mossy slope or by a quite cove, Seven km of trails through cedar forest and along the Galloping Goose trail, Hilltop views of Roche Cove and the Sooke Basin.
Matheson Lake Regional Park
To East Sooke Road
CRD Parks For All Seasons
14
located on the Gillespie Rd in East Sooke Size: 159 hectares (393) Activities: hiking, horse riding, birdwatching Facilities: trails, parking, pit toilets Acquired: 1985
thetis lake Located off Six Mile Rd in View Royal and Langford Size: 635 hectares (1,569 a.) Activities: hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating (electric motors), fishing, nature study, horse riding Facilities: parking, trails washrooms, change rooms, swimming, concessions, picnic tables Acquired: 1993
land
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Ol Hig d Isl hw and ay (1A )
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Six Mile Road
To Victoria
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To Duncan
P P
ada Trans-Can ay w h g Hi
To Sooke
CRD Parks For All Seasons
Duke Road r. View D Olymic
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PARRY BAY Witty Beach Road
21
Upper Thetis
Lower Thetis
Road
To Sooke
To Highlands
To Victoria
hosin
This popular recreation area offers numerous outdoor activities in a natural setting, including swamp and lake ecosystems for nature study freshwater lakes to enjoy swimming, canoeing and fishing and beaches (with seasonal lifeguards) and picnic areas
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witty’s lagoon
Visit this park and discover its charm and beauty!
Located on Metchosin Rd in Metchosin
Offers: a large lagoon, excellent for birdwatching at any time of the year, more than five km of trail through woodland, past lagoon and marsh, a sandy beach overlooking rocky headlands and off shores islets, a nature information centre
Size: 56 hectares (138 acres) Activities: hiking, birdwatching, beachcombing, horse riding, swimming, picnicking, nature study Facilities: parking, trails, nature house, pit toilets Acquired: 1966
15
Body of water Road Park Area
P
Parking Lot Hiking Trail
park reserves CRD Parks builds a system of parks by occasionally acquiring land for future regional parks. These landscapes have few, if any, visitor facilities and public use is not encouraged. CRD Parks will only develop visitor facilities based on public interest, and following completion of a natural resource inventory, and approval of a management plan. Our primary goal for park reserves is the protection of natural and cultural resources.
ayum creek
mount wells
mill farm
This five hectare park protects the regionally significant stream estuary of Ayum Creek, which empties into Sooke Basin. Ayum is also a spawning stream for wild coho and chum salmon. The park is an important link in the sea-tosea green/ blue belt between Sooke Basin and the Saanich Inlet. (Acquired in 1998)
This 88 hectare park features a hill with wildflower and garry oak meadows, and views of the Sooke Hills, Colwood and Langford. (Acquired in 1996.)
Located on the western slopes of Mount Bruce on Salt Spring Island, Mill Farm (65 hectares) includes old-growth Douglas fir, an old mill site and views of the Saanich Peninsula and the Cowichan Valley. (Acquired in 1996.)
CRD Parks For All Seasons
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sooke hills wilderness This former non-catchment area of the Greater Victoria Water District in Sooke is know for is wilderness character, ecological importance, and watershed values. Located in Sooke, public access to this 4,107 hectare park is prohibited. Call 478-3344 for more information. (Aquired in 1997)
What's Facilities Reservation Group picnic shelters in some CRD Parks are available for reservation. The wheelchair accessible Foresters Cabin at Francis/King Regional Park is available for small group meetings. It will accommodate 20 people, and is ideal for presentations, slide shows, or other group activities. To book these facilities, contact CRD Parks Headquarters, 478-3344.
More Information found here:
Please remember...
happening? Interpretive Programs Join in nature programs for adults, children, and families. They’re fun and informative. Watch for special park events. Visit the wheelchair accessible Nature House at Francis/ King Regional park and the Nature Information Centre at Witty’s lagoon Regional Park, open year round.
490 Atkins Avenue Victoria, BC, Canada V9B 2Z8 Telephone: (250) 478-3344 Fax: (250) 478-5416 (250) 474-PARK (recorded information) www.crd.bc.ca/parks/index.htm
CRD Parks For All Seasons
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To protect your parks, the following are prohibited: firearms/hunting alcohol consumption camping and open fires removal of any natural/cultural objects from park Phone 1-800-663-5555 to report wild fires To preserve your parks for the enjoyment of all:
carry out any litter respect adjacent private property keep dogs under control at all times pick up your dog’s droppings and deposit in garbage cans or pack out
Dial 474-PARK (474-7275) for 24-hour access to details on nature house hours, nature walks, trail updates, and sepcial parks events. Or find us on the Web at www.crd.bc.ca/parks/index.htm