Bamberton Provincial Park

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About

Bamberton Park preserves a diverse ecosystem, including second-growth Douglas fir, a salmon-bearing creek, and eel-grass beds in the estuary
The park is notable for its abundance of arbutus trees, Canada’s only broadleaf evergreen, found only on Vancouver Island and the southern BC coast
It also features a rich intertidal zone, popular for school groups studying marine life
The 225-metre long sandy beach and vehicle accessible campground with 53 sites has made the park the perfect spot for families
The name of the beach is qʷələs in the Saanich dialect
Bamberton is a favourite among bird watchers, as many birds of prey, including eagles and ospreys frequent the area
The village of Bamberton, established in 1912 to house workers for the Associated Cement Company, is a key site in BC's industrial history
Named after the company's managing director, H.K. Bamber, it became part of the British Columbia Cement Company in 1919 after merging with the Vancouver Portland Cement Company
The plant operated until 1980, producing cement used in many major infrastructure projects across the province and contributing significantly to the region's prosperity
Bamberton Park was gifted to the province in 1959 by the British Columbia Cement Company
The park was established by Order-in-Council in 1960, with an area of approximately 68.94 hectares and it was reduced in size in 2004 to 28 hectares