Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District (CRD) has purchased two large parcels of property through the Land Acquisition Fund, which is dedicated to purchasing lands for regional parks and trails.
A large 81 hectare forested property comprised of 5 lots adjacent to Thetis Lake and Francis/King Regional Parks in the Pike Lake area has been acquired for $5.5 million. The property increases landscape connectivity between the parks and has riparian and wetland habitats draining into Craigflower Creek, portions of the salmon-bearing Craigflower Creek, and significant patches of old-growth and mature second-growth forest. The purchase includes conservation covenants on some adjacent lands and Options to Purchase additional lands surrounding Pike Lake.
The CRD Board also approved the acquisition of a 68 hectare property, surrounded by Sea to Sea and Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Parks, for $1 million. This forested property, within the Jack Lake/Waugh Creek watershed, eliminates an extensive gap in the public ownership of lands within the park. This property completes a contiguous protected area between Crabapple Lake and Jack Lake – an important area for wildlife.
“The CRD, with the support of our partners, has acquired more than 4,200 hectares of land valued at $58.7 million through the Land Acquisition Fund since it was established in 2000,” said CRD Parks and Environment Committee Chair Ben Isitt. “In that time the regional park system has grown from 8,400 hectares to more than 13,000 hectares.”
“The lands near Thetis Lake will provide valuable greenspace near a dense urban area, for residents of the region,” said View Royal Mayor and CRD Director David Screech. “This acquisition represents a significant addition to Thetis Lake Park within the Town Of View Royal. Our Council thanks the CRD for their vision and their foresight in acquiring these lands.”
These parklands were identified through the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Strategy, which provides the CRD Board with a road map for acquiring land to add to the regional parks and trails system. It is guided by the CRD Regional Parks Strategic Plan.
The Land Acquisition Fund has a balance of $2.8 million following these acquisitions. An estimated additional $3.6 million will be earned through the Land Acquisition Fund levy in August 2019. The fund expires at the end of 2019, and the CRD Parks and Environmental Committee and CRD Board will begin to discuss renewal of the fund shortly.
Attachments: Map of parkland acquisition – Pike Lake and Map of parkland acquisition – Sea to Sea.
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