168 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

In less than a decade, Canada could have 15 more national parks — and for many Canadians, those parks will be located right where they live.

Parks Canada has started conversations in Edmonton, Victoria, Saskatoon, Windsor, Winnipeg and Halifax as part of a federal government mandate to create a network of new national urban parks.


https://www.cbc.ca/n...-park-1.6445937


Recall that Colwood has been approached.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 May 2022 - 10:58 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Four Victoria lakes you can bike to this weekend

 

What made me fall in love with Victoria’s lakes was that they were natural spaces I could get to on my own—without a car. The book I wrote, the Lakes of Victoria, BC Guidebook, was born largely out of my experiences exploring local lakes on two wheels. 

 

With another beautiful summer weekend upon us, I want to share some of my favourites with you.

 

The BC Lake Stewardship Society is calling July Lakes Appreciation Month, so there's no better time to get out there and see them for yourself. This is the first of three articles celebrating lakes—stay tuned for another article looking at the health of Victoria's lakes coming soon.

 

 

https://www.capitald...to-this-weekend

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 July 2022 - 05:28 AM.

[AllseeingEye]

Durrance is a great lake and where we go locally to get our fishing (rainbow trout) 'fix' when not heading out on the road for several days and nights on more extensive fishing trips. The lake is heavily used in summer although regardless of the time of year I have seen the same small group of ladies take a dip basically year round. Fine in July but it was admittedly painful to witness in March. Brrrrrrrrrrr! 

 

For the average cyclist coming from, for example, 'downtown' I would think Durrance would be on the ambitious end of the scale - of course me not being a cycling fanatic I consider anything more than 20 minutes away to be 'ambitious. Was a little surprised that Prospect Lake wasn't included - its closer to the core than Durrance - but perhaps the narrow winding and hilly nature of PL Road precluded it.....

[Nparker]

If our region really cared about its citizens, it would move its lakes to more reasonable cycling distances.

[UDeMan]

I agree Durance is a great lake. I know they have trout and bass there.  Do they stock it with the bass or did someone drop them off.

 

Found this video from years ago about the restocking Durrance lake with trout.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=agRyvQUDEQk

[AllseeingEye]

I agree Durance is a great lake. I know they have trout and bass there.  Do they stock it with the bass or did someone drop them off.

 

Found this video from years ago about the restocking Durrance lake with trout.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=agRyvQUDEQk

 

Its restocked 2x annually with trout - not sure about bass but they're there because I caught one last year. Feisty buggers they are! Put up a good fight. Lots of rainbow in the lake although there are much bigger trout in both Prospect Lake and Langford Lake especially, up to 5 pounders+ in the latter......

[Victoria Watcher]

Greater Victoria residents took to the many beaches, farmers markets, and parks available in the region Saturday, looking to make the best of the sunny weather.

The start of the long weekend saw places like Hamsterly Beach in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park and Island View Beach bustling with activity. People of all ages took advantage of the cool water and soft sand to enjoy some swimming and Frisbee, or let their furry friends splash in the water chasing after a good old stick.

https://www.vicnews....fun-in-the-sun/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 July 2022 - 04:08 PM.

[Nparker]

So many choosing to ignore the warnings of the "heatocalypse" 😩

[Victoria Watcher]

HarbourCats fireworks Monday night.

[Victoria Watcher]

Parks Canada closes popular Banff tourist site to personal vehicles

 

People wanting to access Moraine Lake in 2023 will have to do so by shuttles or commercial buses.

 

 

https://nationalpost...obox=1673195957

[Victoria Watcher]

Seems to be truth here.

 

 

 

 

 

When a dog is not at large

 

Re: “It’s for the birds,” Jan. 8.

 

I find it interesting that migratory birds seem to be so attracted to the beaches of Victoria when there are so many other beaches in the area. The beaches around James Island, for example, or any of the other small uninhabited islands around southern Vancouver Island.

 

Not to mention the other remote areas of the coastline that are difficult to access and therefore are probably people- and dog-free.

 

Maybe it isn’t the birds that are having problems, but the bird watchers who want to watch birds while being able to park their cars and have easy beach access, preferably with a coffee shop not too far away, and the presence of dogs will decrease the number of birds they might be able to see.

 

Given the many options the birds have and the few options the dogs have, maybe we should leave more room for the dogs.

 

Also, there was an error in the story. It said that the blue loon signs say that dogs must be on leash. Unless the signs have been recently changed, they say that dogs must not be “at large,” which is what the “Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations” say.

 

That is not the same thing, so long as a dog is under control it is not “at large.” A dog that comes when it is called is under control and therefore not “at large.”

 

Barry Leslie

Victoria

 

 

https://www.timescol...n-world-6366363

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 January 2023 - 05:13 AM.

[aastra]

Didn't know about this trail above the Sayward Hill development...

 

Recently I took some people who had lived in Victoria for most of their lives (several decades) to Gorge park. They had never been there before. I'm always envious of that kind of experience.

[Nparker]

I had lived in the Victoria area for more than 40 years before my first visit to Summit Park.

[aastra]

That entire neighbourhood is worth a long walk. You've got an interesting mix of housing stock from different eras, the reservoir and telecom tower, the oak tree park, the temple, the views, not to mention the steep neighbourhood streets themselves which aren't very common in Victoria.

If I had never strayed off of Hillside Ave in my life and then suddenly discovered that neighbourhood as an older man (older than someone younger than me, I mean)... heck, I don't even know how I would react to something like that. I think I would be very surprised and very delighted.

[Victoria Watcher]

We used to cut through the neighborhood on bikes. But it didn’t give much hill relief.

[Victoria Watcher]

‘Chunk of sheet metal’: New Thetis Lake sign generates fury on Facebook

 

CRD planning to change entrance signs at Thetis Lake and Elk/Beaver Lake regional parks

 

https://www.vicnews....ry-on-facebook/

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 January 2023 - 01:50 PM.

[Mike K.]

Sounds like they’ve capitulated.

[aastra]

How old is the old sign?

[Victoria Watcher]

“You spoke, we listened. We’ve heard and appreciate the passion that has been expressed regarding the Thetis Lake Regional Park log sign. The sign will stay in place until a decision can be made on how to move forward,” read a tweet from CRD.

[Victoria Watcher]

Maybe store it with the John A. statue.