Victoria, BC– The playground at Hamsterly Beach in Elk/Beaver Regional Park has been replaced with a new nature playground. Elk/Beaver Regional Park is the busiest park in our system with close to 2 million visits in 2021 – so this playground will see a lot of use.
Key elements of the new playground include accessible play elements, zones for different ages, and natural structures that encourage physical literacy for differing abilities. The playground was built using the existing landscape, local timbers and green infrastructure, providing a sustainable connection to the lake ecosystem.
The aim of a nature playground is to connect children to nature that is more in line with CRD Regional Parks’ vision and values. It provides a different experience for children than a traditional playground. It is a safe, unstructured play space that fits into the natural environment. This is the first of its kind in CRD regional parks.
The nature playground is one of many improvements happening in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. A new washroom facility is being built at Hamsterly Beach near the new playground. New washroom facilities are required to meet visitation levels and demands. The fully accessible washroom will be plumbed with flush-toilets and fitted with energy efficient LED lighting and skylights. As well, equipment is being installed for in-lake remediation as part of the Elk/Beaver Lake Initiative. The Province has contributed $750,000 to help buy an oxygenation system, which will help improve water quality and reduce toxic blue-green algal blooms.
These improvements will help ensure a positive visitor experience as visitation numbers continue to rise.
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:
Christiana Jones, Communications Coordinator
CRD Regional Parks
Tel: 250.360.3332
Cell: 250.889.8030
Photo caption: The new nature playground at Hamsterly Beach in Elk/Beaver Regional Park