Ecole Millstream Elementary School Green Space

This post is updated here.

Deep Cove Elementary School Green Space

This grass covered green space has some wonderful sport fields and playground sets for children of all ages. It is part of the school grounds maintained by the Saanich School District 62. And is not available during the times that students are in classes at Deep Cove Elementary School. The playground sets have different types of  climbing and swinging equipment. The sport fields are grassy covered and the area is border by some tall Douglas-fir and Garry oak trees. The fields are a great spot to toss a Frisbee or ball around in. This green space makes a terrific spot to start a walk along the trails of Clayton Road, either westward toward Denham Till Park and Deep Cove or eastward toward Heather Road and Horth Hill Park.

Geographic coordinates N48° 40′ 44″ W123° 28′ 2″

You can get to Deep Cove Elementary School Green Space from Pat Bay Highway.  Before you reach the BC Ferry Terminal, follow the signs that lead to McDonald Park – Wain Road.  Stay to the right as you curve off the highway and continue up to cross over the overpass. At the intersection turn left onto Wain Road. Once you reach West Saanich Road turn right and look for the school buildings on the right side of West Saanich Road. There are a couple of parking areas next to the school yard and off of Clayton Road.

Blue Heron Park, North Saanich

For a break from the beach walks around Sidney and North Saanich head to Blue Heron Park.  This sixteen hectare parkland is connect by a pathway behind the sport fields of Parkland Secondary School forming two sections. The western section of the park, closest to McDonald Park has the sports field for soccer and baseball. Parking areas, several picnic tables and benches as well as toilets and a seasonal concession are found here. The eastern section of Blue Heron Park has the forest grove with trails and as well as the high school’s grass covered sport fields and track oval.

For a forest stroll, walk along the parking area near highway, from the sports fields,  to find the gravel and wood chip trails that lead past Parkland’s school grounds into the second growth forest. The network of trails is through the cedar, Douglas-fir, maple and alder trees. It can be muddy in the wet season so be prepared. This park is maintained by the Memorial Park Society.

Geographic coordinates near entrance N48° 40′ 21″ W123° 25′ 26″

Accessible from trails off John Road via McDonald Park Road and another trail near 10542 McDonald Park Road, the main parking area for Blue Heron Park is closer to McDonald Park.  Turn off Pat Bay Highway onto McDonald Park Road and look for the park signage and roadway, on the right, to access the park. The entrance is before the private homes and before the high school. The city bus travels along McDonald Park Road past this park.