Currently, the board of the South Jubilee Neighborhood Association is in the process of preserving one of the last remaining urban Garry Oak ecosystems in our area. The area in question is located on the corner or Bank Street and Leighton street, across the road from the Victoria College of Art.
We call it “Kasapi Park”, named after the current and long-time owner. This is a fairly large, undeveloped urban forest that is owned by private developers. The property features 26+ Garry Oak trees and has been an important ecosystem and quiet place for all of our residents.
We recently heard that the property was up for sale for development, so we have initiated a movement to purchase and protect this area. This is particularly important in our region as our area is developing very quickly with new apartments and housing and will be a very densely populated area in the near and distant future. This particular urban forest is only one block from the South Jubilee Hospital, so it is a possible green space for hospital patients and could provide a range of therapeutic benefits.
Our goal (South Jubliee Neighborhood Association) over the next year is to work with city council, local residents, and developers to ensure this location and the many trees on the property remain this way forever. We are also keenly interested in planting more trees on the property to turn it into a true urban forest, or a “clean air” garden. There are many possibilities.