Parks and road improvements coming to the Westshore

The BC government just made two announcements in the past week, looking to improve both BC parks and roads within the coming years, in communities such as Langford and Metchosin.

On June 1, Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman was joined with guests in Goldstream Park to announce a $10 million donation from the government, and said the future of the parks is an important one to preserve.

“This $10-million contribution further ensures the foundation’s long-term sustainability, so that together we can preserve many more of the most beautiful places and unique ecosystems in BC for our children, our grandchildren and for generations to come,” said Heyman.

With an initial $10 million grant in 2017, the foundation became an independent partner to BC parks, and has brought donations in from across the globe to ensure the protection and revitalization of BC’s parks, along with the funding of programs. The Westshore will even see the re-opening of Goldstream Provincial Park Nature House for the first time in three years, as it hopes to become a pillar of education for the community once again.

The foundation launched an initiative in 2022 known as the 25x25 campaign to protect 25% of BC’s land and waters by 2025. Alongside this, the government looks to protect 30% of parks by 2030.

“Today, the Province is making sure that British Columbians will always have a place to come together in the spirit of gratitude and celebration to support parks and protected areas, so that they flourish forever,” said Andy Day, the CEO of BC Parks Foundation. “Nothing else provides so many benefits for so many people over time, whether by improving your mental and physical health, reducing climate change impacts, protecting other species, contributing to our economy or creating wonderful experiences with friends and family.”

The donation came within days of another announcement from the BC government deciding to continue the Vision Zero grants for the second year—a program created to improve and ensure the safety of local-road systems like safety-planning, speed-reader signs, better light systems, and more. In 2022, a total of $564,147 was donated to 32 communities.

“We are so thrilled to have received the grant and people are loving the new crosswalk. It makes a huge difference. Just having the crosswalk there makes drivers more cautious and encourages them to go a bit slower,” said Sharie Epp, a councillor with the District of Metchosin who will be receiving over $14,000 to install a crosswalk at Hans Helgesen Elementary School, including school zone signs and crosswalk ahead warnings.

Oak Bay will also receive $10,000 to update a slightly hidden pedestrian-activated crosswalk with flashing lights to better alert motorists. The Songhees Nation will get nearly $75,000 from four different grants, adding LED speed indicator signs on shared roadways, speed limit and stop signs along Cooper Road, Chief Robert Sam Lane, and Middle Road, and dual Lekwungen and English language speed limit and stop signs on Songhees land.