1 | Vancouver Island Nature Viewing Region | ||
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2 | Victoria Area | ||
3 | Willows Park | ||
6 | A developed waterfront park and beachfront. It is highly used for active and passive recreational activities on its open grass and beachfront. The park is a social gathering place where visitors of all ages enjoy activities appropriate to its setting. It is one of Victoria’s most popular swimming beaches; being shallow, protected water that is suitable for young children. | ||
7 | Victoria Natural History Society | ||
8 | Photo Gallery | ||
9 | Geographical Description | Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, it is east from downtown Victoria, 1.17-hectare waterfront park in the municipality of Oak Bay. Overlooking the body of water Oak Bay; it is opposite to Discovery Island (Chatham Island and Griffin Island). | |
10 | Area/ Trail Length | 1.17 hectares of waterfront park. The north end of the beach at Cattle Point is the start and end of the Salish Sea Walk of the Planets, and the local Oak Bay walk of the Planets. | |
11 | Seasons to Visit | Year round | |
12 | Habitat | Shoreline , beach | |
13 | Viewing Highlights | ||
14 | Other Features | Kiwanis Tea Room, and Cattle Point Star Sanctuary that is just north of the beach. | |
15 | Main Access | A 15-minute drive east from downtown Victoria; located on Dalhousie St. and Beach Dr. | |
16 | Secondary Accesses | ||
17 | Cautions | Dogs are permitted. It is a popular local spot so expect increased people traffic during weekends and the summer. | |
18 | Jurisdiction | Victoria Parks and Oak Bay municipality. | |
19 | Regulations | Dogs area allowed year-round on grass areas and pathways but must be on leashed at all times. Dogs are NOT allowed on the beach between May 1st and September 30th but are allowed on the beach (leashed or unleashed) from October 1st to April 30th. (Victoria Animal Control) Accessibility: with the exception of personal assistance devices or equipment for special permitted events, wheeled apparatus must remain on the streets and are not allowed on any grassed areas or paved pathways in the park. Structured sport activity is not allowed on the area except, by permit, a limited number of beach/grass volleyball events are allowed (to a maximum of 4 days per year per commission policy). | |
20 | Facilities | Beach access, benches, change rooms, concession, floral area, grass areas, monument, signs, parking, picnic tables, playground, scenic views, trails and walkways, washrooms, water fountain. | |
21 | Other Recreational Activities | Swimming, walking, dog-walking, picnic, and paddling. Various clubs and organizations often hold gatherings in the park including rallies, club meetings, poetry readings, barbeques and family gatherings. Willows Beach is also the location of the annual Oak Bay Tea Party, in which people from all over Victoria participate; enjoying rides, shows, games and the parade which runs all around Oak Bay. | |
22 | Other Connections | To the very north of the beach is Uplands Park. Cattle Point Star Sanctuary (Cattle Point Dark Sky Star Park) is also North to the Park. | |
23 | History | This area was the site of ancient Salish Seaports of Sitchanalth . Archaeological digs have identified a Coast Salish permanent encampment of several thousand people for generations. The latest theory is that the whole seaport was destroyed by the Great Salish Sea (Seattle) tsunami of 930AD. This park takes its name from the Willows Fairground built in 1891, which was Greater Victoria’s main horse-racing venue during the early years of the 20th century. The racing venue was named after the Willow trees in the area. | |
24 | FMI | ||
25 | Links | Oak Bay Parks | |
26 | Victoria Natural History Society | ||
27 | Nature Guide to the Victoria Region | ||
28 | Willows Beach | ||
29 | Songhees History at Willows Beach | ||
30 | © 2019 BC Nature |