Experience Esquimalt

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

SPRING 2022

We are thrilled to showcase upcoming events in our community Earth Day Celebration at Highrock Park

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squimalt’s parks are gorgeous any time of year—visit the Japanese garden and new pavilion at Gorge Park for stunning water views and colourful displays; wander the tall Douglas firs of Saxe Point while keeping an eye out for barred owls or enjoy the views from Highrock Park.

Events SPRING THAW SKATE Where: Archie Browning Sports Centre Address: 1155 Esquimalt Road When: March 26 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join us on the Ice for an end of season celebration! There will be music and lots of fun for everyone. FREE admission generously provided by the Victoria Properties Group.

ESQUIMALT 5KM AND 1KM KIDS FUN RUN Where: Archie Browning Sports Centre Address: 1151 Esquimalt Rd When: April 9, 2022 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A community-minded 5K open to all ages and abilities.

Touted as one of the nicest 5K routes, come and enjoy a beautiful course that takes you through some gorgeous Esquimalt Parks. This is an excellent race to put your training to the test before the spring and summer run series gets into full swing.

Children of all ages are invited to participate in Esquimalt 1K Kid’s Fun Run! Register at Esquimalt.ca/ recreation.

NEW DEVELOPMENT IN ESQUIMALT VILLAGE EASTER EGG HUNT Where: Bullen Park When: April 17, 12-3 p.m.

The Esquimalt Lions are bringing back this well-loved event. Find out more at esquimat.ca/recreation EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT HIGHROCK PARK Where: Highrock Park When: April 20, 2022 – 10 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Township of Esquimalt Parks staff will be coordinating an Earth Day Celebration, working with local schools and community members to help raise awareness about keeping our local parks and urban forests safe and healthy.

Activities include invasive species removal, planting, trail building and, again this year, hungry goats will be assisting with weeding out invasive species and having a great meal at the same time.

Convenience meets style.

Just a six-minute cycle from Downtown Victoria, this development offers sunny balconies, on-site gym, and proximity to numerous beautiful parks.

RESERVE YOUR UNIT TODAY!* BUCCANEER DAYS Where: Archie Browning Sports Centre Address: Esquimalt When: May 13-15 Everyone’s favourite

250-588-2339

theProxima.ca

*This is not an offering for sale. Check the website for details.

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timescolonist.com | TIMES COLONIST

ADVERTISING FEATURE ADVERTORIAL

SPRING 2022

Kids fun run, Navy Run Esquimalt

celebration off the high seas is back! This fun-filled weekend is loaded with events for all ages! Buccaneer Days has been celebrated in Esquimalt annually since 1966. Details at esquimaltbuccaneerdays.ca FORT MACAULAY HISTORIC INTERPRETIVE TOUR Where: Macaulay Point Park When: May 28, 2022 - 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Sixth Annual Fort Macaulay Historic

site will all be numbered and indexed to a handout with brief historical references to each. Guided tours will take place at 10:30am and 12:45pm.

Tours are led by local historian, Jack Bates.

The event will also feature members of the Victoria-Esquimalt Military Re-enactors Association with their encampment, the Esquimalt Archives, Toad Hollow Photography and others. The Esquimalt Lions

Interpretation Event will take place at Macaulay Point Park. The buildings and gun emplacements at the historic

will provide a cash only BBQ, serving up their famous hamburgers and hot dogs with proceeds going back into the community.

NAVY RUN ESQUIMALT Where: Esquimalt When: June 18, 8:15 a.m.

It’s the Navy Run’s 16th annual race! The Navy Run - 10K, 5K, and Kids Fun Run is a family-oriented, inclusive community event and is hoping to run both an

in person and virtual race this year. This event is open to everyone whether you are part of the DND Community or not. Come out and support this great event and get to know your Navy.

New this year will be the Virtual Kids run with matching shirts should your kids not be able to attend the in-person race.

Get excited about improving your health. Do it because you can! navyrunesquimalt.com

Es-whoy-malth

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OLS • S • TO EREO AMERAS C Y • ST LLER • TOOLS • TEREOS JEWE S S O • Y ERAS R TERE ELLE • CAM • JEW S • TOOLS O TERE

squimalt’s name is derived from a local First Nations expression “Es-whoy-malth,” which means the place of gradually shoaling water. The township is within the Traditional Territories of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations.

Find out more at Esquimalt.ca/events or to submit a community event happening in Esquimalt.

EFile $

7999

Service from

TOP SHELF

Plus GST

Esquimalt Office 1253B Esquimalt Road

Bookkeeping Ltd.

(At Admirals Road) Bookkeeping Services Available Here

Saanich Office

101-76 Gorge Road West (Beside Wings Restaurant)

Helping people with their taxes for 27 YEARS!

Subscribe to our event list at Esquimalt.ca/subscribe or follow us on social @esquimaltBC

MALT TRADING LT I U Q D. 1976 ES PAWNBROKERS IN-STORE JEWELLERY REPAIR

897 ESQUIMALT ROAD

250-388-6542

SPRING 2022

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

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Esquimalt Archives: v986-18-14

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Japanese Tea House at Gorge Park, 1912

Japanes garden

Gorge Park Pavilion rendering

Teahouse at Esquimalt Gorge Park

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he British Columbia Electric Railway Company (BCER) bought the land that makes up the Gorge Park in 1904 and opened an amusement park in 1905. In 1907, with the co-operation of the BCER Company, Kensuke Takata and Yoshitaro Kishida established a Japanese-style tea garden and tea house on the property. To design the gardens, they brought Yoshitaro’s father, Isabura Kishida, from Yokohama, Japan. He also designed the Japanese Gardens for the Butchart family and for James Dunsmuir at Hatley Park.

For the one-acre Takata Gardens on the Gorge, Isaburo Kishida used dwarfed trees and plantings imported from a Yokohama nursery. With the inclusion of Japanese style bridges, which crossed and re-crossed an ornamental stream, porcelain figures peeking out from the landscape, and a large Japanese stone lantern placed beside an ornamental pond, several points of interest were created. All the material used in the construction and decoration of the tea house, such as the lanterns hanging in the buildings and across the pathways, was imported from Japan. Such special touches were respected for their sense of authenticity and beauty and made the tea and cakes taste even more delicious.

By the end of the First World War, the automobile age was firmly established and people enjoyed the new ability to travel greater distances in a shorter time to seek out entertainment. Fewer visitors came to the tea gardens, and by 1918 several concessions closed. In 1924, Kishida returned to Japan, leaving the Takata brothers to operate the business. During the Second World War, after Canada declared war on Japan in 1941, the gardens closed. In 1942, the Takata family was taken to Vancouver and interned at Hastings Parks (later the Pacific National exhibition grounds). With no one care for the beautiful gardens and pavilions, they fell victim to vandalism and neglect. After the war, the Takata family moved to Toronto.

Rejuvenation of the gardens culminated in an official reopening ceremony in October 2009. A new entry gate, designed and built by the public works crew, was celebrated with a Buddhist garden blessing (Sho Sai Shu Ceremony).

Representatives of the Government of Japan, members of the Japanese community and Esquimalt residents attended the event, the culmination of efforts started by the Takata Japanese Society in the 80s. (Excerpt from Esquimalt Centennial 1912–2012 by Sherri Kathleen Robinson) Now, in 2022, another opening ceremony is being planned for the new Gorge Park Pavilion later this year.

Working for our community

Shop Local Salish Seaside Boutique features a selection of unique locally made gifts and high quality outerwear, including Gill, Helly Hansen and Pollen wool sweaters!

Hon. Mitzi Dean

MLA, Esquimalt-Metchosin

250-952-5885 Mitzi.Dean.MLA@leg.bc.ca MitziDean.ca #104 - 1497 Admirals Road

Located at the Salish Seaside RV Haven at 445 Head Street.

We are proudly owned and operated by the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.

250-590-5995

@salishrv

@salishseasiderv

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