Park Investments

Beautifying our parks provides numerous benefits that positively impact the community, environment, and overall well-being.

The Friends of Sooke Parks Association is spearheading a vital project to enhance the riparian area in Broom Hill Park through strategic fencing and the planting of native species. This initiative promises to deliver long-term ecological and community benefits.

Riparian zones—transitional areas between land and water—play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By installing fencing, we can protect these sensitive areas from overuse, reducing erosion, preventing soil compaction, and preserving water quality. This safeguard ensures that local streams can support thriving fish populations and diverse aquatic life.

Introducing native plant species adds another layer of ecological resilience. These plants stabilize soil, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and small mammals. They also improve the park’s aesthetic appeal, offering a beautiful and vibrant natural space for visitors to enjoy.

This project reflects a commitment to sustainable stewardship, helping to mitigate the impacts of urbanization on local ecosystems. As the riparian area flourishes, it will serve as a living classroom for environmental education, fostering community pride and connection to nature.

Together, through initiatives like this, we can ensure that Broom Hill Park remains a healthy, welcoming, and biodiverse space for generations to come.

Broomhill Park

Riparian Restoration in November/December 2024

Paperbark Maple

(Acer griseum)

This climate resilient species is attractive year-round, but is especially attractive in the summer when its dark summer green leaves change to shades of pumpkin orange and brick red in full sun, or buttery gold with an apricot flush on trees in part shade. As well, the Paperback Maple sheds its bark much like the Arbutus tree which is where it gets its name from. This species is slow growing, and takes several years for peeling bark to develop.

Height at Maturity (30 yrs): 30 ft
Spread at Maturity (30 yrs): 25 ft.
https://www.greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/view/35

Millennium Park

Two trees planted on April 21, 2024

Cornus Eddie's White Wonder

(Cornus nuttallii) aka Pacific Dogwood

Dogwood is moderately drought tolerant, and one of the few trees that will survive in an understory. It is a great option to reduce fuel hazard and is also a moderately slow-growing and very well behaved tree. Dogwoods can live over 100 years.

The Cornus Eddie is a cross between the native Cornus nuttallii and Cornus florida. Eddie’s White Wonder looks a lot like the native C. nuttallii but is not prone to dogwood anthracnose.

Pineridge Park

Two trees planted on December 1, 2023

Little Leaf Linden

(Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire')

The Greenspire Linden tree has a strong central leader and matures into a pyramidal shape. The leaves are a dark green turning to a bright gold/yellow in autumn. The Linden tree features subtle clusters of fragrant yellow flowers below the branches in early season.

Height at Maturity (30 yrs) 40-45 ft
Spread at Maturity (30 yrs) 30 ft.
https://itrees.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=greenspire

BURGUNDY BELLE MAPLE

(Acer rubrum ‘Magnificent Magenta’)

This Red Maple has an upright oval shape at maturity. The leaves emerge with a red flush in spring before turning dark green. In the fall the leaves turn bright red and deepen to Burgundy for a long-lasting show of autumn colour.