Uplands Park

Uplands Park is a breathtaking 30-hectare coastal sanctuary in Oak Bay, rich in biodiversity, rare Garry Oak meadows, and home to a poignant WWII memorial overlooking the sea.

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Location

Oak Bay
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About

Uplands Park, established in the 1940s, is a stunning natural oasis with over 30 hectares of Garry Oak meadows, rare plant species, and wild, untouched beauty. It’s one of Canada’s richest pockets of biodiversity, right in Oak Bay.
Wander the winding trails, launch a kayak, or pause at the war memorial to reflect.

War memorial

On Armistice Day, November 11th, 1948, the monument was unveiled by Lieutenant Governor Charles Banks.
Sculptor Hames Saull, a former Canadian airman who made Victoria his home after the war, was chosen to bring the vision to life.
Using his wife as the model, Saull crafted the sculpture from concrete, with a granite and concrete facing.
The figure stands nine feet tall, gazing out over the water. Set on a natural rock outcropping, it is framed by the Garry Oaks of the park.
The central figure, known as Mother Peace, bows her head, arms gently shielding the 97 names of local residents who were lost in WWII.
The inscription reads: “Roll of Honour” “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Below the memorial are several stone markers honouring those who fought in WWI and the Korean war as well as the Canadian Merchant Navy and Canada’s Peacekeepers.
The site also features a winding stone staircase and a natural stone walkway, guiding visitors to this place of reflection and solemn beauty.

Uplands Park serves as an important stopover for migratory birds, with over 280 species recorded within its boundaries.
Species seen in the park include: Band-tailed Pigeon, Cedar Waxwing, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Wilson’s Warbler.
The park is also home to 24 rare and endangered plants, including Kellogg’s rush (a flowering herb), Bearded Owl-clover, and Water-plantain buttercup.
Two sections of boardwalk connected to a new one-kilometer gravel path were installed in early 2025 to help keep visitors out of the mud and away from rare plant species during the wet fall and winter months.
The accessible loop, which links three park entrances, includes approximately 100 metres of six-foot-wide boardwalk along the Dorset Road side of the park.
If you’re short on time, a drive along Scenic Drive offers breathtaking ocean views without ever leaving your car.
The park stretches all the way to Cattle Point, a favourite spot to dip your feet in the water, explore rocky outcrops, or simply take in the incredible views of Haro Strait and Mount Baker.
With ample parking, it's a hub for boaters, stargazers, and anyone chasing a peaceful moment by the sea.
Whether you're out for a hike or just catching the sunset, Uplands Park and Cattle Point are must-see gems on Victoria’s coastline.