Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District (CRD) has acquired a 10-hectare (nearly 25 acre) parcel of undeveloped land that will be added to East Sooke Regional Park.
The newly acquired land is bordered on two sides by East Sooke Regional Park and runs along East Sooke Road, next to the East Sooke Volunteer Fire Department. The parcel is one of the few remaining large undeveloped tracts of land that can be added to East Sooke Regional Park. Acquisition of this property complements the recently acquired (October 2022) Copper Mine Road parcel, further strengthening the park boundary and securing an important travel corridor for large carnivores that travel through East Sooke Regional Park.
“This land acquisition in East Sooke Regional Park is welcome news and increases the amount of valuable and protected park land in our region,” said Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair. “The CRD is committed to making progress on climate action and environmental targets and through land acquisitions like these we’re working towards protecting biodiversity and furthering the protection of ecological assets.”
The parcel met the CRD’s criteria for acquisition and was recommended for acquisition in the January 2023 land acquisition update. The property has a market value of $1,090,000 and was bought by the CRD for $950,000 in July 2023. The landowners, the Broadbent family, graciously donated $140,000 of the land’s value.
“This property was part of the original Glenairly homestead and was purchased by our great grandparents, Alex and Nellie (nee Todd) Gillespie, in 1910,” said the Broadbent family. “Many Gillespie descendants have been fortunate to explore and play there, and we are delighted that it will now be preserved and shared for others to enjoy. We thank the CRD for making it possible.”
The addition of this land brings the park to a total of 1484.08 hectares, making East Sooke Regional Park the third largest park in the CRD Regional Parks system after Sea to Sea Regional Park and Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park. The area is important habitat for bears, cougars and wolves, as well as for many smaller organisms. It also includes several old-growth Coastal Douglas fir trees estimated at over 250 years old. The new property will be left in its natural state to buffer the park’s existing boundaries and to protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
East Sooke Regional Park was established in 1970 and is categorized as a Regional Wilderness Area due to its large size and rugged setting. Park users can enjoy solitude and remoteness when visiting and hiking on the 50 kilometres of rugged trails. The park is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular in the system, with uninterrupted views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains and boasts exceptional marine bird and mammal viewing.
The CRD has provided a regional parks service since 1966. Since then, the regional parks system has grown to include 33 regional parks and four regional trails, comprising over 13,300 hectares of land.
For more information on East Sooke Regional Park, visit: https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/find-park-trail/east-sooke/.
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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 government partners 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