Beckwith Park

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the latest Beckwith Pond decommissioning update

About the Park

Beckwith Park is a large recreational and natural area park which contains sports fields, a playground and water park in the west half, and a natural area with trails, a wetland system and a Garry Oak woodland in the east half. The wetland comprises of two ponds connected by a small stream to the Colquitz River watershed.

For details such as directions, amenities, hours of operation and more, See the handout below.

Beckwith Park Handout (District of Saanich)

Park Updates

"Pulling Together" Volunteer Team

January 2024 Update - Eylin Gilbart (Park Steward)

The Saanich Pulling Together Team, has been working at Beckwith Park for the past 14 years (Saturdays, twice a month), removing invasive species in various zones park zones and then maintaining these areas with regular sweeps.

More recently, the group is proud of the “native garden” created on the south side by the Beckwith Park sign and pathway. This area was a Himalayan blackberry mess, which upon removal, revealed beautiful large rocks. We planted native trees, bushes and plants which have spread vigorously throughout the garden, preventing the resurgence of new invasive plants.

Also in progress is the restoration of a Garry Oak meadow near the ponds. This area has camas, fawn lily, hookers’ onion, pacific sanical and native yellow violets (introduced).

On a sad note: Our volunteer group lost one of our longest-term devotees this winter, Marilyn Mills. Marilyn was an enthusiastic member of the volunteer group since the beginning…14 years ago, dedicating hundreds of hours to the cause. She was instrumental in our team bonding with luncheons and loved to discuss our activity with passerby’s. We miss her immensely.

Without a doubt, “Pulling Together” Lead Steward, Eylin Gilbart and her dedicated team of volunteers are responsible for the many trail improvements, wildlife habitat enhancements and ecological restoration to Beckwith Park over the years. Last spring NQCA presented a “Community Volunteer of the Year” award to Eylin in recognition of her long-standing leadership and service to North Quadra.

Interested in volunteering with Saanich Pulling Together Program at Beckwith or other North Quadra Parks? Contact Saanich Parks at parks@saanich.ca for calendar work parties.

To learn about the program: Volunteer for Pulling Together | District of Saanich

To volunteer at a park near you: Saanich Parks Pulling Together Volunteer Events | District of Saanich

Beckwith Pod Dam Decommissioning

There is currently a project to decommission the dam surrounding the large pond in order to remove the water license currently held by Don Mann Excavating. This plan is still in flux and while there is hope a new proposal will allow the ponds remain as they are in water volume, the current proposal will reduce the water volume sufficiently so that the smaller pond will likely become a marsh wetland in winter and dried all summer. This will quickly cause the neighbouring vigorous plants and trees to completely fill in and eliminate the smaller pond.

October 2024 Update - Doug Ashbee (NQCA Vice President)

Saanich Parks is still patiently waiting for a response from the Provincial Dam Safety Office to the report submitted by Ryzuk Geotechnical in July. This report specifically addressed the ‘significant consequence rating’ of the risk for dam failure and more closely followed regulatory guidelines than two previously rejected consultants reports.

Unfortunately DSO Dave Johnson left his position in August and only recently was replaced by an acting DSO. If the engineering report is approved by the DSO, Paul DeGreef, Planning & Development Manager for Saanich Parks, will then prepare a report for senior Parks Management recommending the transfer of the Beckwith Pond water license from Don Mann Excavating to Saanich Parks. If this plan is approved and endorsed by Saanich Council the dam will remain in place and be owned & operated by Saanich with little change other than the removal of some trees on the eastern side of Dam #1 (between the rock bluff & the existing spillway).

Paul is cautiously optimistic of the necessary approvals by the end of the year, and is willing to give another brief presentation to residents and the NQCA when a decision has been made.

May 2024 Update - Doug Ashbee (NQCA Vice President)

Jordan Mann of Don Mann Excavating (water license holder) and Paul DeGreeff, Planning & Development Manager, Saanich Parks (landowner) provided an update May 23, 2024, at NQCA Executive meeting on the status of the Beckwith Pond Dam Decommissioning project. They discussed the 3 options put forward by the Dam Safety Office (DSO) to bring the dam into compliance with the new regulations.

1. A “Complete Decommissioning” by removing the main dam and water. Since the water license no longer serves its original economic purpose, the DSO has become impatient and have threatened to come in and pump out the water and bill the licensee if action isn’t taken soon.

2. A “Partial Decommissioning” by lowering the dam height and resultant water level by 4 to 5 feet as previously determined by the Sept. 12th, 2023, soil elevation test drilling. This was the option previously posted on pond signage, and work would have to be completed later this summer. It is noted that neither of these first 2 options are deemed acceptable, as Saanich Parks has heard loud & clear that maintaining the current water level is the main priority for the community.

3. Option 3 would be the removal of all trees (approx. 12 mature cottonwoods and border shrubs) and vegetation from both sides of the main dam #1 from the rock bluff to the existing spillway on the eastern edge. Also, reinforcement of the dam structure as determined by an engineering report (approx. $100,000) would be required, along with annual mowing of vegetation and frequent inspections.

The DSO is not concerned about saddle dams # 2 & 3 or removal of any vegetation around the smaller duck pond. Approx. 90 % of the vegetation around the two ponds would be retained.

The DSO was not interested in discussing any alternative solutions as outlined in consultant Brian Lecasse’s report, or any proposed work on the catchment area to reduce the ‘consequence rating’ by diverting water or building a berm to prevent catastrophic flooding of low-lying properties on Baldwin Place or Crosshaven Close.

Following the DSO’s latest ruling, Saanich Parks directors and staff will meet within the next few weeks to consider the possibility of taking over the water license from Don Mann Excavating, pending receipt and review of the recently completed Brian Lecasse report to weigh the costs and liability. Because this would constitute a recreational usage of the water license and have a storm water holding value the DSO would allow a much longer time frame to fulfill the compliance regulations.