NORTH SAANICH’S DOMINION BROOK PARK

It’s interesting that you can live in a place for almost 40 years and still find some beautiful places that you have never explored and sometimes never even heard of.  That goes for Dominion Brook Park located on 11 acres on the Saanich Peninsula not far from Victoria International Airport.  The park was originally created by the Federal Department of Agriculture as a demonstration arboretum and ornamental garden for public use.  The garden was started in 1912 with plants being brought in from nurseries in Britain, Holland, France, Germany, Japan, China  and the United States.

The garden was meticulously maintained over the years and was a popular gathering place for families and the community. However, federal funding for the garden ended in the 1980’s and the rare plantings began disappearing under ivy and blackberry.  Fortunately a citizen’s group created a volunteer non-profit society, “Friends of Dominion Brook Park”, which formed a stewardship agreement with the Federal Government and the District of North Saanich to rehabilitate and maintain the park.

Sign and entrance off East Saanich Rd

Beautiful fields and views to Haro Straight and the Gulf Islands

The park is spectacular, with sloping grassy fields, gorgeous mature trees and views of Haro Strait and the Gulf Islands.  There is also the Rhodo Ravine whose stream bed has just recently been restored, including a beautiful motarless stone bridge. The stream leads into some ponds and small waterfalls along its lower reaches.

The parks makes for a beautiful walk, and dogs are welcome.  There are also numerous park benches and some picnic tables.

Gorgeous fields and trees

The Rhododendron Ravine

Stone bridge crossing the Rhododendron Ravine

Their are some huge trees in the park

You may get lucky and see a Great Horned Owl

Waterfall & arched bridge over the stream at the end of the Ravine

The motarless stone bridge in the Rhodo Ravine

When you’re done your exploration of Dominion Brook Park drop into the The Roost Farm Bakery for a coffee and snack, just down the road at the intersection of East Saanich and McTavish Roads.