Members of the Citizens' Environment Network in Colwood (CENIC) have encouraged the council to take advantage of a “rare opportunity” to expand Havenwood Park.
The group say purchasing three parcels of land adjacent to the 40-acre forested park will help “conserve natural parkland and tree canopy” in Colwood.
“We have an opportunity that I don’t think presents itself very often; we have three significant beautiful pieces of land, adjacent to Havenwood Park – which may be the crown jewel in all our parks here in Colwood – available, giving us this opportunity,” said Stephan Doyle on behalf of CENIC at a meeting on Jan. 13.
The three plots, located at 567 Windthrop, 676 Latoria Rd. and 3460/3461 Veterans Memorial Pkwy., would add around 24 acres of land.
Both Windthrop and Latoria are available for purchase, while the undeveloped land at Veterans Memorial Parkway is owned by Sooke School District.
Doyle says CENIC wants the city to approach landowners about the potential acquisition.
However, it was revealed at the meeting that the city is one step ahead, with Mayor Doug Kobayashi offering some encouraging news for the group.
“For once, your council is ahead of you,” said Kobayashi. "We’re looking at this and it’s all been in-camera because we don’t want to jeopardize negotiations if it comes down to that."
The mayor explained he was unable to offer any further information for the time being.
"Can’t say much more than that," he said.
