Colwood Creek Park is a community park amenity that offers West Shore residents wide open spaces for people to play and pets to enjoy, a playground and splash pad for kids and families, and accessible trails that make for a peaceful stroll.
The park's namesake, Colwood Creek, runs through the park on its journey from Glen Lake to Esquimalt Lagoon. It's a significant waterway and ecosystem in our community that is important to protect.
Beginning in 2020 and throughout 2021, the City engaged residents in three phases of engagement to create the first Colwood Parks & Recreation Master Plan [PDF/18.6MB] to guide future protection and improvement of Colwood's parks. That was followed by the creation of the Colwood Creek Park Management Plan with additional engagement in 2021 and 2022. The plan provides a set of community recommendations for the park including clarifying on leash and off leash areas, fencing to protect the Colwood Creek ecosystem, seating, interpretive signs, and consideration of washroom facilities.
Colwood Creek Park is located within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), which limits the City’s ability to implement the improvements identified in the Colwood Creek Park Management Plan and creates uncertainty for existing park facilities, such as the playground and splash pad, as they are not permitted under ALR regulations.
A recent Land Capability Assessment confirmed that the land is not suitable for viable large-scale agricultural production.
For these reasons, the City of Colwood is proposing to apply to the Agricultural Land Commission to have portions of the park removed from the ALR designation to allow for the park improvements, such as fencing, dog amenities, seating, play features, and washroom facilities. More detail about the process can be found in this presentation to Council at their meeting on June 22, 2026.
The purpose of the application is to seek removal of a portion of the land from the ALR so that the City has the ability to implement the improvements identified in the Colwood Creek Park Management Plan in the future. The land will continue to be dedicated parkland, a legal protection designation that could not be changed without a referendum or other form of broad community support.
Below and pictured on the right is the full list of recommendations for the park from the Colwood Creek Park Management Plan (pg 31).
- Expand the Playground and Splash Pad Area
- Add a New Park Washroom / Change Room Building
- Add New park Picnic Areas
- Improve the Lawn Areas and Provide Multi-purpose Open Spaces
- Update the Dog Off-Leash Areas and Provice and On-Leash Zone
- Restore and Protect Natural Areas and Expand the
Riparian Buffer - Manage and Expand the Park Tree Canopy
- Improve Stormwater Management
- Improve and Expand Parking Areas
- Improve the Connection to the Galloping Goose Trail
- Upgrade the Park Trail Network
- Improve Park Furnishings, Lighting, and Public Art
- Add a Water Connection at the Cecil Blogg Drive Side
- Operations and Maintenance
- Park Recreational Programming
The City has considered other approaches, including a non-farm use application, however that would require separate approvals for each park improvement, resulting in delays and uncertainty about what may ultimately be permitted. A partial exclusion provides a more complete solution by allowing the City to plan and implement park improvements. If the exclusion application was denied, non-farm use applications could be considered as an alternative.
Council is expected to consider the application to the Agricultural Land Commission at their next meeting. To be notified about upcoming Council meeting agendas be sure to subscribe for updates at www.colwood.ca/Subscribe.
Media Contact
Sandra Russell, Manager of Communications & Engagement
srussell@colwood.ca
Find this release online at www.colwood.ca/News
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