The Federal Government is exploring National Urban Park status for Fort Rodd Hill and area.

What seemingly appears like a great news story on the surface may result in the destruction of the surrounding natural habitat of Fort Rodd Hill and area: https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/plan-in-works-for-new-urban-park-around-fort-rodd-hill-12024629

Please consider taking this related survey with a focus on the protection and preservation of this special natural area. Feel free to share any of the information in the answers provided below.: https://letstalkcolwood.ca/national-urban-park

What do you think is important for a good park? For example, when you think of parks or natural spaces that you enjoy, what do you enjoy about them, how do they make you feel, what do they look like, what makes them special?

We want to emphasize that what makes a park of any description special, and especially this area, is that it remains in its wild, natural state. We don’t need to cut trees for parking lots or trails or for liability reasons. This is having disastrous effects everywhere and is homogenizing the natural world, favoring gentrified areas over rare and unique ones. We don’t feel confident Parks Canada knows how to do this given the amount of destruction of wild spaces after they are declared “parks.” For example, Parks Canada cleared a forested area to the ground, brought in gravel and are now boosting it’s a Parks Canada camping site right in the heart of Hornby Island – an area once wild, beautiful and park-like without their meddling. It’s a disaster and it’s happening repeatedly in our parks. Next they’ll be bringing in commercial everything to the “park” as services for the users. The second question in this survey is thinly veiled at indicating infrastructure needs to be park of the process. Beware! This would ruin this special area. The best use of this land is to leave it as is!!!! In it’s natural state.

The National Urban Park Program has three core objectives of conserving nature, connecting people with nature, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. In addition to these three objectives, what other main priorities or values would you like to see reflected in the proposed National Urban Park? (Please select your top 3)

Nature (protecting wildlife and plant life for future generations), Other (please specify) – Keep it as is! Stop cutting, adding lighting, paving, paths and everything deemed to be what people need. This area is beautiful and perfect as it is. Protect and preserve it.

What are some ways that you would like to see the proposed National Urban Park help conserve nature and fight climate change?

Leave it as is and plant even more trees. Stop cutting trees and have no pesticides. Do not widen or straighten the roads or add parking lots, buildings or lighting.

Within a potential National Urban Park, there may be competing priorities of conserving nature and providing space for recreation activities and amenities. To better understand how you think the proposed National Urban Park should balance nature conservation with recreation/amenities, please select which of the following statements most closely align with your priorities.

We think conserving nature should always be prioritized even if it means restricting access to large areas of the park or limiting park activities and amenities.

What are your favourite ways to experience nature?

Through my camera and from already established viewing areas or beaches.

Are there any barriers that make it difficult for you or others to visit parks or natural areas?

Yes, when they are destroyed by over zealous tree cutting and a heavy human hand.

What do you think makes a park space welcoming for everyone?

We have a wide variety of parks already that are welcoming to the wide variety of users. There is something for everyone in a wild, natural untouched area even if it doesn’t have hiking trails and all the ammenities of urban parks. Stop paving, stop cutting and it will be more welcoming.

How familiar are you with the Indigenous history of this area?

Somewhat familiar

How would you like to learn about or experience the Indigenous history, culture, and relationship to this area within the proposed National Urban Park? Please select all that apply.

Other (please specify) – On a website where no damage is done.

The study area for the proposed Greater Victoria national urban park is still being refined and could encompass the Parks Canada lands surrounding the Fort Rodd Hill-Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, which are located within the borders of the City of Colwood (approximate area pictured below). As this could be a mosaic of non-contiguous lands, nearby areas of interest may be considered for inclusion. Are there any other City of Colwood park areas nearby that you would like to see included in the proposed National Urban Park? Select all that apply.

Other (please specify) – All areas that will not be affected by further infrastructure and left in the most natural state as possible. This is a declared bird sanctuary and needs to be treated as such with protection and preservation of the wildlife as a priority.

Are there any trails, pathways, or active transportation routes that you would like to see connected to the proposed National Urban Park?

No, this involves more destruction of nature.

How would you like trails and active transportation routes connected?

If need be, through established accesses to Royal Roads without any new infrastructure.

Do you have any questions or concerns regarding the proposed National Urban Park?

Plenty of concerns as infrastructure is what governments seem to always have money for, not parks. We simply don’t trust this process due to years of seeing the expansion of parking lots, roads, and tree cutting in parks. If conservation groups, in addition to Indigenous land protectors and environmental stewards, were involved in every step of the planning of this process it would be truly refreshing and exciting.

Have you moved to Colwood within the past five years

No

Do you indentify as a person with disabilities or a mobility challenge?

No

How did you hear about this engagement opportunity?

Word of mouth

Please rate the degree to which you agree you were provided with enough information on the Greater Victoria National Urban Park Project to provide informed feedback.

Agree

Do you have any suggestions for improving public engagement for this project or future City of Colwood projects?

Yes, please keep all the people who respond to this survey informed and invite active environmental stewards from a variety of conservation groups and Indigenous land protectors to be part of the decision making process starting now. CreativelyUnited.org has a Pair Up Directory of more than 200 non-profit (mostly environmental) organizations that could be informed of this project and others like it and invited to engage in this survey if they haven’t already.