Parks Management Plans

As an outcome of the recent Parks & Recreation Master Plan process, we are developing Park Management Plans starting with Colwood Creek Park, Lookout Lake Park, and Ocean View Park. This long-term strategic document will help guide future park infrastructure upgrades, environmental considerations, and recreational use.

To help build these plans we need your input. 

Visit LetsTalkColwood.ca/OurParks and follow the project to stay up to date. Phase 2 of the project is underway and now is a great time to get involved! We are sharing early concept directions and asking for your feedback with online questionnaires, pop-up park events, and an online workshop. Visit LetsTalkColwood.ca/OurParks to learn more. 

Parks Walks

We hosted a walk in the park at Oceanview, Lookout Lake, and Colwood Creek Parks with Gord + Gord, Colwood Parks Foreman Gord Beauvillier and Councillor Gordie Logan. Both Gords heard about your experience of our local parks, answered questions, shared information and talked about what the future holds for parks and trails in Colwood as outlined in the City's new Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Click to see what we heard at each Park Walk.

Parks & Recreation Master Plan 

The City of Colwood's first Parks & Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) was adopted in April 2021. This plan will guide improvements to our parks over the next 10+ years by providing overall direction and guidance for managing parks and recreation resources, infrastructure, and investment. The PRMP is a strategic document that does not undertake detailed planning for each park or facility, but rather. provides recommendations for the entire parks and recreation system. This plan is intended to be a living document that grows with the community. Recommendations of the plan will be reviewed and adjusted annually to explore new opportunities and prioritize investments that reflect the needs and desires of the community. 

Vision Statement

Guiding Principles

The following six guiding principles support realization of the vision by providing a framework and specific goals for policies and actions. The guiding principles act as a 'checklist' for proposed improvements; if a proposed project meets these principles, it will support the vision and intent for the City of Colwood Parks and Recreation system. 

  • Celebrate Our Natural Character
  • Strengthen Our Connectivity
  • Protect + Enhance Our Environment
  • Encourage Our Community Health + Wellness
  • Nurture Our Partnerships
  • Promote Accessibility + Inclusiveness 

Click to view the full Parks & Recreation Master Plan

Parks and Trails

With over 50 parks and trails in the area ranging from neighbourhood green spaces to vast forested parks and trails, there are always opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

The City of Colwood takes great pride in our parks, which make our City beautiful, promote healthy living options and provide gathering spaces that foster a sense of community. Read about Parks Maintenance in Colwood and get to know our beautiful parks below.

Bee Creek

Bee Creek is a small stream in Colwood that flows into Esquimalt Lagoon.

Its flow begins as groundwater seepage at the base of a rock escarpment, on federal land leased by Royal Roads University. The stream flows through young forest and... read more

Colwood Creek Park

Colwood Creek Park features wide open grassed areas great for picnics and outdoor play. There is a wonderful playground for the kids, including a spray park for cooling off on hot summer days, with a water fountain and washroom. A paved and... read more

Colwood Waterfront and Lagoon

The Colwood waterfront features miles of breathtaking ocean beachfront perfect for walks, beachcombing, sand castles and water play. Summer events with music and food make the beach in Colwood a wonderful gathering place for the community.

... read more

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

Cycle, stroll, jog, in-line skate, walk the dog, push a stroller, even ride a horse along the Galloping Goose Trail. Formerly a railway line, the trail is a popular route for both commuting and recreation. It meanders through urban, rural and... read more

Havenwood Park

Havenwood Park is a beautiful 40 acre forested park with a network of well groomed hiking trails. The gorgeous setting of forest, ferns and wildflowers make it a favourite recreation spot for residents of Colwood.

There are two main trails... read more
herm williams park pergolas green grass

Herm Williams Park

Herm Williams Park on Kelly Road has a lovely shaded playground surrounded by old growth trees and grassy play areas. In 2015, two large pergolas were added to the large level grassy area to provide a gathering place for small community events... read more

Latoria Creek Park

Latoria Creek Park is a beautiful forest setting with the creek babbling along beside the trail. It features well groomed trails with several bridges crossing the creek and sections of wooden stairs, which make it a great place for a peaceful... read more

Lookout Lake Park

Lookout Lake is one of Colwood’s hidden gems. Perched up high on Triangle Mountain, it’s a local favourite for swimming, picnics, hikes and shoreline fishing.

It's a lovely quiet spot for families who enjoy fishing. The lake is regularly... read more
meadow park green at twilight surrounded by homes with the mountains in the distance

Meadow Park

Meadow Park in Royal Bay offers a children's natural play area, grassy picnic areas, a paved trail with two foot bridges crossing a landscaped rock stormwater channel, plus seating and lighting. 

... read more

Ocean View Park

Ocean View Park is a favourite neighbourhood playground that has it all. Play structures, a basketball court, an open lawn area large enough for picnics and park games and well-groomed forested trails that are just long enough for any age to... read more

Outlook Park

Outlook Park is a nature park and trail between Delora Drive and Wishart Road. The trail meanders through the woods and rocky outcrops to a spectacular viewpoint just up from Delora Drive. A series of steps leads down from the lookout in either... read more

Perimeter Park

One of Colwood's most beautiful trails down to the oceanfront at Esquimalt Lagoon is the Perimeter Pathway. You will find it at the end of Gratton Road, which is a small street off Metchosin Road between Dunsmuir School and the Royal Bay... read more

Promenade Park

Wander along a network of well-groomed nature trails through this forested park in the heart of the upper Royal Bay neighbourhood. Get a birds eye view of Royal Bay, down to the ocean and across to the City of Victoria from the lookout platform... read more
royal bay north ridge trail sign

Royal Bay North Ridge Trail

The North Ridge Trail in Royal Bay connects the Painter Trail at Painter Road to Metchosin Road. The trail meanders through the trees and along the hillside behind Cotlow Road toward the height of Metchosin Road offering spectacular views across... read more
the lower royal beach park and seacan with painted octopus

Royal Beach Park

Visit the Royal Beach Park in Colwood for its oceanside playground, Olympic sized volleyball courts, spectacular ocean views, and access to the public waterfront that connects to Esquimalt Lagoon and Albert Head Lagoon.

You'll find the... read more

Royal Roads Forest

The vast forested grounds surrounding Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University run all the way from Colwood's city centre to Lagoon Road and reach from Esquimalt Lagoon up to Sooke Road. There are dozens of paths and trails that meander through... read more

West Shore Parks & Recreation

West Shore Parks and Recreation offers an outstanding variety of recreation and leisure opportunities, including a swimming pool, exercise facilities, ice rinks, a golf course, playing fields,... read more

WildPlay Element Park

WildPlay Element Parks in Colwood is the Westshore’s only tree-to-tree adventure course, providing a new way to experience the natural beauty of Colwood.

Zip, crawl, scramble, and climb through the Douglas fir canopy of the adventure ... read more