Beacon Hill Park

Coordinates: 48°24′43″N 123°21′50″W / 48.412°N 123.364°W / 48.412; -123.364
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Beacon Hill Park
View towards the Strait and the Olympic Range
Map
TypePublic park
LocationVictoria, British Columbia
Created1882
Operated byCity of Victoria
Websitewww.victoria.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails/our-parks/beacon-hill-park
A view of the Goodacre Lake fountain and pond inside the park, seen with many dabbling ducks.

Beacon Hill Park is a 75 ha (183 acre) park located along the shore of

Juan de Fuca Strait in Victoria, British Columbia
. The park is popular both with tourists and locals, and contains a number of amenities including woodland and shoreline trails, two playgrounds, a waterpark, playing fields, a petting zoo, tennis and pickleball courts, many ponds, and landscaped gardens.

The name of the park refers to Beacon Hill, a hill located at the park's southern end. The traditional name of the hill is míqәn (pronounced "MEE-qan", sometimes spelled Meegan or Meeacan) to the Songhees people, meaning "warmed by the sun".[1][2]

History

míqәn (Beacon Hill) was a popular location for local indigenous peoples to rest and play games, and where

Coast Salish people, who are the original inhabitants of the Greater Victoria
region.

The land ultimately made into the park was set aside as a protected area by

Washington
.

Ecology

Although much of the park has been landscaped into gardens and playing fields, and populated with various structures, a great deal of the native flora has been preserved.

Oregon grape, and fawn lily still remain in the park, as well as the threatened Yellow Montane Violet
.

Canada geese, and blue herons. Commonly seen duck species in the park include common mallard, American wigeon, Eurasian wigeon, Hooded merganser and Bufflehead. Many other bird species can be seen in the park including the Anna's hummingbird, Bald eagle, Red-breasted nuthatch and Common raven
.

Notable structures

"The Story Pole", a totem pole erected in 1956, which was the tallest freestanding totem pole in the world.
"The Story Pole", a totem pole erected in 1956, which was the tallest freestanding totem pole in the world.

The park is notable for a few human-made features. Most prominent is the world's fourth-tallest

Kwakwaka'wakw craftsman Chief Mungo Martin, his son David, and Henry Hunt.[4] When erected in 1956 it was the tallest totem pole in the world. The pole has been repaired a number of times and was lowered from 2000-2001 for a significant restoration.[5]

The pebble bridge over the stream between Goodacre and Fountain Lake is a tribute to renowned BC artist Emily Carr, erected by her sister Alice Carr in 1945.

In the middle of the park, the Cameron Bandshell, otherwise known as "The Stage", is the site of concerts from June through September.

"Mile 0" of the

Beacon Drive-In
.

Amenities

The Canadian photographer Hannah Maynard is seen cycling in Beacon Hill park in 1892, with many more cyclists relaxing against a stone wall with their bicycles in the background.
An image of Canadian photographer Hannah Maynard cycling in the park in 1892.

The park has numerous gardens, meadows, viewpoints, and trails. There is an off-leash dog area at the southern end of the park. The park also hosts numerous sports fields, including facilities for

lawn bowling, cricket, baseball, tennis, and pickleball
. There are two playgrounds and a number of public washrooms. The park is a popular location for picnics, relaxing, cycling and recreating and in the summer has a petting zoo.

References

  1. ISBN 0-920620-63-9
    .
  2. ^ a b "lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Territory". Songhees Nation. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  3. ^ "Camas Country". beaconhillparkhistory.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  4. ^ "Beacon Hill Park History - Chapter 13 - 1950-1959". beaconhillparkhistory.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  5. ^ Ludwig, Michaela (2018-02-12). "The Story Behind Beacon Hill Park's Story Pole • British Columbia Magazine". British Columbia Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-12.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beacon Hill Park.

48°24′43″N 123°21′50″W / 48.412°N 123.364°W / 48.412; -123.364

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