Dominion Brook Park

Dominion Brook Park holds significant historic value for the community. When the Dominion Experimental Farm was established in 1912, it became a centre for agricultural research supporting Canadian farmers. In 1913, a public demonstration arboretum and ornamental garden were created. Designed by W.T. Macoun, a horticulturist and son of renowned naturalist John Macoun, the garden incorporated plants from internationally recognized nurseries. Species were imported from Europe, Japan, and the United States, including specimens from the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University that had been collected by the noted botanist Ernest Henry Wilson. Many of these original plantings form the foundation of Dominion Brook Park today, reflecting both its long history and a tradition of dedicated stewardship.

The park’s aesthetic value is equally embedded in its design and character. Rhododendron gardens, cobblestone paths and bridges, ponds, and a sunken garden come together to create an intricately designed formal landscape. A carefully curated selection of ornamental plants, both historic and contemporary, is arranged throughout the grounds. This extensive collection represents more than a century of effort, care, and enhancement by professional gardeners and community members alike. Adding to the park’s unique character are the carved faces on two stumps near its centre, created by WSÁNEĆ elder Davis Bill around the year 2000, which remain a treasured public art feature.

In addition to its historic and aesthetic qualities, Dominion Brook Park has served an important social role throughout its history. From its earliest days, the park was connected to a streetcar line and quickly became a popular gathering place. In 1919, for example, a crowd of 3,000 people was drawn to the gardens. Since then, it has remained a valued community hub. When maintenance funding ended in the 1980s, Dominion Brook Park experienced a brief period of neglect. By the 1990s, however, community volunteers had begun reclaiming the space, and in 2000, the Friends of Dominion Park Society was established. Through collaboration between volunteers, the District of North Saanich, and the Canadian Centre for Plant Health (ÍY¸ NONET¸ ÁUTW̱ E TŦE SJESENENEȻ), Dominion Brook Park has flourished. Today, it continues to be cherished as a gathering place, hosting picnics, weddings, and school field trips. Its continued existence stands as a testament to grassroots dedication and the power of cooperation between community and government.

Character Defining Elements

• Historic ornamental plants 
• An extensive rhododendron garden 
• A sunken garden 
• Public art by Davis Bill 
• Dry-stone bridge 
• Ornamental ponds 
• Open picnic areas  
• A carved wooden welcome sign