Elk/Beaver Lake
Location
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Saanich
About
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Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is 443 hectares
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In 1873, construction began on a dam at the south end of Beaver Lake, with the goal of using both Beaver and Elk Lakes as a drinking water source for the City of Victoria
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By 1875, water from the lakes was flowing into the city, leading to the dissolution of the previous provider, the Spring Ridge Water Works Company
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However, by the early 1900s, Victoria's growing population had outpaced the capacity of the lake system
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To meet increasing demand, the Sooke Flowline was built between 1913 and 1915, allowing the city to draw its water supply from the newly established Sooke Reservoir
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In 1894, a section of the Victoria and Sidney Railway was constructed along Elk Lake's western shore and operated until it was decommissioned in 1919
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The former railway route is now repurposed as a recreational trail.
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In 1923, the area was designated as a park by the City of Victoria and was managed by the Victoria-Saanich Beaches and Parks Committee until 1967, when it was acquired by the Capital Regional District (CRD)
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For over a century, Elk/Beaver Lake has been a popular recreational destination for CRD residents.
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One notable attraction was the Toby Jug, built in 1925 at Hamsterly Beach and promoted as “The Freshwater Playground of Victoria.”
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This resort featured a summer tearoom, dance pavilion, bathing boxes, towels, swimsuits, and local candy
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Another highlight was the Wooded Wonderland, a whimsical park attraction that ran from the early 1960s to 1974, showcasing nursery rhyme and storybook scenes along meandering trails
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There are 15kms of walking trails in the park, including a 10km loop trail
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Beaver Lake and its nearby beach are great spots for swimming, picnics and canoeing
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On Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons during July and August, the nature centre is open where staff and volunteers can answer your questions
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At Elk Lake and nearby Eagle Beach you can swim, hike or launch a scull from the rowing centre
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Elk Lake is the training area for Canada’s Olympic Rowing team as well as host to several competitions each year for local schools
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The Elk/Beaver Equestrian Society operates the equestrian area on the southern side of the park
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Elk Lake is stocked with rainbow trout but you may also find brown bullhead, smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout
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The park contains second growth Douglas fir, western red cedar, grand fir, arbutus, and Garry oak trees
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Some of the bird species that can be found in the park include American coot, double-crested cormorant, bufflehead, bald eagles, great blue heron, red-winged blackbirds, and osprey
Lands
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WASÁNEC (Saanich) Peoples
Amenities
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Beaches
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Picnic areas
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Walking and equestrian trails
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Wildlife viewing
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Accessible toilets (closed Nov-Apr)
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Playgrounds at Beaver and Hamsterly Beaches
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Bike racks
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Parking
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Boat launch
Online
Videos