Victoria, BC– Donations of land will support community parks and recreation on Galiano and Mayne Islands.
On Galiano Island, the Galiano Parks and Recreation Commission, a volunteer-run CRD community parks service, has received a stunning new addition to its park system that can be used for future recreation opportunities. Dr. Elizabeth (Betty) Kennedy previously donated waterfront land to the CRD for community park purposes in 2015. The lands are located at the westerly entrance to Active Pass. The two parcels total 4.24 ha or 11.21 acres and includes 220 metres of high bank waterfront. The donation included a life estate for Dr. Kennedy, who died in 2019, and a beneficiary. Recently the remaining beneficiary of the life-estate, Paul Longridge, has voluntarily permitted his interest in the life-estate to expire. This allows the Galiano Parks and Recreation Commission to acquire full control of the property and begin preparing the property for park use. The 2022 assessed value is $2,313,000. In addition to the property, Dr. Kennedy provided a $300,000 trust fund for the management of the community park.
On Mayne Island, a similar donation occurred at the other end of Active Pass in 2015, when the estate of Fred and Bette Cotton donated a parcel of land and associated improvements to the Mayne Island Parks and Recreation Commission, also a volunteer-run CRD community parks service. The picturesque property, at 207 Cotton Road on Mayne Island, is across from Sturdies Bay on Galiano Island, at the easterly entrance to Active Pass with expansive views of the Salish Sea looking towards the lower mainland and West Coast Mountains. The parcel has approximately 350 metres of low bank waterfront on Active Pass, and is 3.24 ha or 8 acres in size. The 2022 assessed value is $1,624,000. The trustee for the estate provided an additional $50,000 cash contribution to the CRD’s Mayne Island Community Parks Service that was used to convert the property from residential to park use.
“We are so thankful for these generous donations, which will enhance our communities for years to come,” said Paul Brent, Electoral Area Director for Southern Gulf Islands. “Our Community parks provide recreational opportunities and help preserve natural areas. Donations like these are one of the ways we are able to expand our parks system.”
Each of these properties has high park values and will complement the federal, provincial and other regional parks nearby. The land will be community park land, and facilities on the land will be made available for public community use.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492