Irving Park

Located in James Bay on the former estate of steamship Captain John Irving, Irving Park is a tranquil sanctuary featuring towering heritage redwoods, 21 Japanese cherry trees, and a seven-circuit stone labyrinth.

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Location

Victoria
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About

Overview & park amenities

Irving Park is a serene, one-hectare municipal park situated in Victoria. Located at the corner of Menzies Street and Michigan Street in the historic James Bay community, the park lies just four blocks south of James Bay and the Inner Harbour (source, source, source).
The park offers an urban oasis shaded by massive canopy trees, featuring carefully designed pedestrian walkways and community amenities.
- Pedestrian paths: A paved 75-meter foot path runs diagonally through the park, connecting Michigan Street directly to Menzies Street for pedestrians taking a short-cut. A secondary 25-meter circular path rings the playground area, and a curving gravel pathway leads through the cherry grove to the labyrinth.
- Playground & picnic facilities: The park includes a children's playground equipped with toddler-sized swings and climbing apparatus, complemented by picnic tables and rest benches throughout the grounds.
- Restrooms & community artwork: On-site restroom facilities are located next to a colorful, community-painted mural on a repurposed shipping container (source, source, source).

Key park attractions & botanical highlights

Japanese cherry blossom grove & bridge of friendship

Along the curving gravel pathway leading toward the southwest corner of the park stands an avenue of 21 Japanese cherry trees (shirofugen double-blossom variety). The trees bloom spectacularly in late May with double pinky-white blossoms, offering a meditative canopy for park visitors (source, source, source).
The cherry grove was planted on May 20, 2002, by the GIFU Cherry Blossoms Group (Gifu Prefecture Cherry Blossom Society) from Japan, supported by the Grace Human Life Society. The grove was planted to promote peace, international goodwill, and an understanding of Japanese culture (source).

The seven-circuit stone labyrinth

Sheltered beneath mature trees near the cherry grove in the southwest section of the park is a discrete seven-circuit stone labyrinth. Made of flat stones sunk flush into the lawn, the labyrinth is designed to blend seamlessly into the grass, becoming visible as visitors approach.
The labyrinth was created in 1999 by Candis Elliott, a development worker with the James Bay Community Project, who collaborated with Terry Loeppky and City of Victoria Parks staff to engineer a design requiring near-zero ongoing maintenance. It serves as a peaceful retreat for walking meditation and quiet reflection (source, source, source).

Heritage & historic trees

Irving Park is celebrated for its diverse and soaring tree canopy.
- Giant Sequoias / Sierra Redwoods: Originally planted as seedlings on either side of Captain John Irving's crescent driveway, these magnificent trees still stand tall and proud today, competing for the title of the tallest tree in James Bay.
- European Beech tree: A cherished remnant of the original 1880s estate garden. The beech tree was a favorite gathering spot when the house existed, and local children continue to enjoy the shade of its leafy canopy today.
- Additional species: The parkland is home to Horse Chestnut, Big Leaf Maple, London Plane, Red Cedar, Black Aspen, fruit trees, and a picturesque Monkey Puzzle tree.
- Historic tree tour: A former Irving Park tree tour (encompassing the block bounded by Michigan, Government, Toronto, and Menzies Streets) cataloged over 40 species of trees, including Tulip Tree, Hazelnut, Windmill Palm, Dogwood, and Ginkgo (source, source, source).

Site history: From 'Irving Place' to municipal park

In the mid-19th century, central James Bay was a quiet area covered in pine trees known as "Beckley Farm". As Victoria developed around the government buildings ("The Birdcages") and Belleville Street shoreline, James Bay became Victoria's first exclusive residential enclave (source).
In 1882–1884, Captain John Irving built a grand Italianate-style mansion named "Irving Place" at the corner of Menzies and Michigan Streets following his marriage to Jane (Jean) Munro (source). Jane was the daughter of Alexander Munro, Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, whose family estate was situated nearby on Michigan Street (where the South Park School playing field is located today) (source, source).

Architecture & social life

Irving Place was a Victoria landmark. Its upper levels offered sweeping views of Victoria's growing city and busy harbour. The home featured prominent bay windows, grand porches, a crescent driveway flanked by California redwoods, and an extraordinary twelve-color exterior paint scheme:
- Lower brickwork: Four distinct shades of red.
- Upper walls: A blend of olive and seven other shades of green.
- Decorative trim & railings: Rich brown picking out every cornice and cranny (source).
Behind the mansion were stables for horses, sheds for cows and chickens, and extensive flower and vegetable gardens. Mrs. Jane Irving hosted famous "at home" afternoon receptions on the expansive lawns and drove through town with her three children in a custom-built phaeton carriage (source, source).

Military hospital, demolition, and park dedication

The Irving family resided at the Menzies Street estate until 1915, when they relocated to the mainland.
- WWI military hospital (1917–1919): During the First World War, the residence served as a military convalescent hospital where returning wounded Canadian veterans could recuperate in the sunny environment of James Bay.
- Haunted rumors & demolition (1929): After standing vacant for several years, local rumours held that the house was haunted following the suicide of a police officer on the premises. The vacant mansion was demolished in 1929.
- Park formation (1944 / 1981): The City of Victoria acquired the tax-delinquent land and officially declared it "James Bay Park" in 1944. In 1981, the city officially renamed it "Irving Park" to honour Captain John Irving and commemorate the historical site (source, source, source).

History of Captain John Irving (1854 - 1936)

Captain John Irving was born at sea off the coast of Oregon on November 24, 1854, aboard the vessel Robert D. Carter, and raised in New Westminster following his family's relocation during the Fraser River Gold Rush. Taking command of his deceased father's steamship company at age 17, he quickly proved himself a brilliant river pilot and became British Columbia's youngest licensed captain at age 20. Renowned for his bold navigation and fierce river rivalries, he operated several sternwheelers, enduring rate wars and the catastrophic uninsured loss of the $80,000 Elizabeth J. Irving to fire in 1881, before forming the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company (CPNC) in 1883. As General Manager, he built CPNC into the region's dominant coastal shipping line with flagship steamers like the Islander and Beaver, while also pioneering northern trade during the Klondike Gold Rush, where he famously piloted the Yukoner to Dawson City in a record 14 days.

In 1883, Irving married Jane (Jean) Munro, daughter of Hudson's Bay Company Chief Factor Alexander Munro, and constructed a lavish 12-color Italianate mansion named "Irving Place" at Menzies and Michigan Streets, the site of present-day Irving Park. Active in civic affairs, he served as President of the Vancouver Water Works Company and represented the northern district of Cassiar as a Conservative MLA from 1894 to 1901. In 1901, Irving sold CPNC to the Canadian Pacific Railway for $531,000, establishing the foundation of the famous CPR Coast Service ("Princess Line"); as part of the agreement, CPR granted him a lifetime pass to travel aboard its steamships.

Captain Irving's later years were marked by personal tragedy and diminishing wealth. Following the death of his only son, Major William Irving, in France during World War I, the heartbroken 62-year-old captain tried to enlist to take his son's place. Tall, distinguished by a white goatee, and famous for his boundless generosity and gambling, Irving spent or gave away his fortune, spending much of his retirement traveling on CPR ships or residing in a modest Vancouver storefront greeting old friends with "How about a smile?". Upon his passing on August 10, 1936, historian Norman Hacking famously commemorated that he died "poor in everything but friends.". His remains were interred at Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria (source, source, source, source).

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