The CRD initiated a management planning process for East Sooke Regional Park in 2020.  A management plan provides both strategic and specific management direction and guides environmental conservation, cultural heritage management, visitor use and park development over a 10-15 year period. 

The management planning process was put on hold in 2021 to address other regional parks and trails priority projects. Check back in 2023 for an update on the timeline for completing the management plan and for opportunities to participate. 

Public Engagement

The park management plan for East Sooke Regional Park will be developed based on information and input gathered through public engagement. The CRD will seek input from First Nations, key agencies, stakeholder groups and the public. 

The first round of public engagement on development of a park management plan for East Sooke Regional Park is now complete. The input received is summarized in the Initial Engagement Report. The comments and suggestions will be reviewed and considered as the draft park management plan is developed. 

A second round of public engagement on a draft management plan will be launched after the plan is compiled and brought forward as a draft to the CRD’s Regional Parks Committee and Board.

About the Park

East Sooke Regional Park was established in 1970, and at 1,457 hectares it is the third-largest park in the regional park system. East Sooke Regional Park is classified as a Wilderness Area because of its large size and remote and rugged nature. It features 49 kilometers of trails through forest, marsh and old fields, including the challenging 10-kilometer coast trail with its outstanding views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains. The park received approximately 275,000 visitors in 2021. 

The Management Planning Process

The planning process for East Sooke Regional Park coincides with development of a management plan for nearby Roche Cove and Matheson Lake regional parks, and includes several steps:

  • Project initiation is the first step and includes gathering background information and preparing for engagement. (Complete)
  • Initial engagement with First Nations, the public, and other key government agencies is used gather additional information about the park and input into its potential management. CRD aims to ensure that everyone's interests are considered. (Complete)
  • Drafting the Plan is undertaken through a multi-disciplinary project team that includes planning, conservation, recreation, and operations expertise.
  • Engagement on Draft Plan is undertaken once the draft plan is complete. Opportunities will be provided for First Nations, stakeholders and the public across CRD to provide input into how the park is managed.
  • Finalizing the Plan is done once all of the comments received are reviewed and considered. The final proposed plan is provided to the Regional Parks Committee for consideration and the CRD Board for approval.
  • Implementation begins once the CRD has approved the management plan. In most cases, implementation actions are identified as short, medium or longer term in nature.

Status of Park Management Plan