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McDonald Park / Curteis Point

Below is a synopsis of what the McDonald Park / Curteis Point Neighbourhood offers North Saanich residents and what the Parks Commission recommendations for improvements are. For detailed findings and recommendations please review the full 2010 McDonald Park / Curteis Point Neighbourhood Inventory Report. Please note that although the narratives are complete in the report, some of the tables and maps may not be at this time. This deficiency is being remedied.

Neighbourhood Summary

The McDonald Park portion of the neighbourhood is contiguous with the Town of Sidney but is partially isolated from the rest of North Saanich by Highway 17 . Residents have access to District owned Lillian Hoffar Park (picnic area and beach access) and Nymph Point Park as well as McDonald Federal Park, Blue Heron Park (wooded walking trails & sports field), Parkland High School (tennis courts), North Saanich Middle School (playground). Safe cycling routes extend via the Lochside Trail to the centre of Sidney. Portions of the McDonald Park area is zoned for multiple family dwellings. The Curteis Point area is even more isolated from the rest of North Saanich by Highway 17 with only one access road. This area has two small parks, some short trails linking four interior cul-de-sacs, two beach access that are also favourable for launching a kayak and three viewpoints. There is local traffic only on the roads so that walking and cycling are very pleasant.

  

McDonald Park-Curteis Point Neighbourhood
Green Park and its network of trails in the adjacent Cloake Hill Horth Hill neighbourhood are accessible to residents of Curteis Point who also have safe cycling access to the town of Sidney via the Lochside Trail.  The McDonald Park / Curteis Point neighbourhood is home to five marinas and associated yachting services.

Recommendation Summary

Recommendations for improving park amenities in the McDonald Park / Curteis Point area include: 

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Opening (formalizing) a trail link from Curteis Road north to Canoe Cove Road;

Working closely with the Memorial Park Society to make the best use of the natural, wooded area and trails of Blue Heron Park;
To assist with finding creative solutions to upgrade some of the ageing sports facilities (new track surface at Parklands school);
Opening a beach access in both the McDonald Park and Curteis Point areas;
Exploring ways of making the neighbourhood’s amenities more available to persons of limited mobility.

Any comments regarding these findings can be directed to Parks Commissioners Barry Wills 250-896-2554 or through e-mail.