Mount St. Mary Hospital Green Space

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Healthy Naturalist

This post is updated here.

http://walksinyourbackyard.com/2019/04/09/mount-st-mary-hospital-green-space

Ross Bay Cemetery Green Space

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Healthy Naturalist

Eleven hectares along the water front of Ross Bay, Salish Sea, form the Ross Bay Cemetery, and its green space, in the Fairfield community of Victoria, B.C. This cemetery is like a large neighborhood park that has a unique arboretum, amazing sculptures and monuments as well as plenty of benches and pathways. There is even a restroom located near the southwestern corner, off Memorial Crescent. It is a remarkable site to visit as a hiker, history buff as well as a naturalist.Two creeks, East Creek and South Fairfield Stream, once flowed through these lands forming deep ravines that have been diverted into culverts. The ravines were filled during development in this area which now hosts space for over thirty five thousand interments. These consist mostly of double-depth plots. The tombstones vary from ornately elaborate gabled Gothic tablets, obelisk and bi-columnar monuments to simple granite tablets and screens. Thus allowing remembrance of the various historical figures of Victoria, B.C. Numerous trees and shrubs were planted in eighteen seventy two during development and are considered heritage trees for this area. Due to its proximity to the seashore, salt spray tolerant trees and plants form the windbreak and border along Dallas Road and Ross Bay Walkway. These include white pine, Wheatley’s and cork bark elm and tamarisk, a salt cedar, trees. Within the park are several Garry oak trees, black locust and big leaf maple trees. A large Camperdown elm, Ulmus glabra, a form of Scotch elm tree; and atlas cedar tree can also be found along the pathways. The trees that form the length of Memorial Crescent are a mixture of conifer trees including a temple juniper, Austrian pine, Chilean pine, Japanese red pine, and Himalayan white pine. The hedge plants form the park border along Memorial Crescent, Fairfield Road and the alleyway of St. Charles Street include ash, boxwood, English hawthorn, holly, laurel and yew. There are several books and many brochures like those provided by the Victoria Heritage Foundation and the Old Cemeteries Society with burial information in this cemetery. Clover Point Park, Ross Bay Walkway, Little Ross Bay Park, Hollywood Park, Porter Park and Moss Rock Park are nearby.

Geographic coordinates N48° 24′ 39” W123° 20′ 39″

Ross Bay Cemetery can be reached from Blanchard Street. Turn east onto Fairfield Road. Look for the cemetery at 1495 Fairfield Road between Memorial Crescent, St Charles Street and Dallas Road. There is limited roadside parking and numerous access trails to the grounds. City buses travel along Fairfield Road from downtown Victoria.

The Great Trail, or Trans Canada Trail, Parkette

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Healthy Naturalist

This post is updated here.

The Great Trail, or Trans Canada Trail, Parkette

Gorge Road Hospital Green Space

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Healthy Naturalist

Gorge Road Hospital 3 Lovely horse chestnut trees line the sidewalk and roadway into Gorge Road Hospital Green Space from Balfour Avenue. This road is shared with the neighboring condominiums. Built in nineteen seventy three, the Vancouver Island Health Authority operates this residential care facility which covers over three hectares along the Victoria Arm section of the Gorge Waterway. Chapman Point, upon which this green space rests, projects slightly in to the waters. For use of guests, staff and visitors, a spacious grassy knoll as well as about many pathways allow exploration of the hospital’s outdoor spaces. It is worthwhile to enjoy the rhododendrons, azaleas and other flowering shrubs that area bordered by lush green cedar hedges. A couple of Douglas fir, willow and maple trees provide shade throughout the area. Across the waters of Victoria Arm are Banfield Park and Burleith Park which can be access using the walking and bicycling trail of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Arbutus Park and Cecelia Ravine Park are a block to the east. Harriet Road Green Space is to the west along Lotus Street.

Geographic Coordinates N48° 26’ 36” W123° 23’ 12”

Gorge Road Hospital Green Space can be reached from Blanchard Street. Turn west onto Finlayson Street and continue past Burnside Road West to reach Gorge Road East. Follow Gorge Road East to Balfour Avenue and exit into the parking area for the hospital. A city bus travels along Gorge Road East from downtown.