Outerbridge Park

Outerbridge Park in Saanich is a nature sanctuary of trails, ponds, and birdlife, gifted by Jo Ann Outerbridge to preserve her vision of a peaceful, protected green space for all

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Location

Saanich
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About

This 3.8 hectare park is in the Royal Oak area of Saanich
Outerbridge Park was the vision of Joan (Jo Ann) Outerbridge
Born in Bermuda, Jo Ann studied horticulture in Pennsylvania and had a lifelong passion for gardening
She moved to Victoria in 1987 at the age of 67
In her late 60s and 70s, she assembled the park from nine separate properties she purchased along Blenkinsop and Royal Oak Roads
By subdividing and merging their undeveloped sections, she shaped the land into what she called the "Shangri-La Bird and Nature Sanctuary"
In 2005, Jo Ann gifted the property to the District of Saanich to ensure its long-term protection
Today, thanks to her generosity, the area is preserved as Outerbridge Park and a restrictive covenant is in place to safeguard the land for future generations
The park offers a variety of features, including walking trails, ponds, and bridges, and serves as a haven for wildlife—especially birds—within a setting that is also welcoming to visitors
Some parts of the property are landscaped with ornamental plants, while others remain in their natural state
Saanich Parks collaborates with the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) to support the park's ongoing operations
Jo Ann Outerbridge passed away in 2014, but her vision continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the efforts of HCP horticulture students

Lands

The District of Saanich lies within the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples represented by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples represented by the Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum and Malahat Nations.

Amenities