Small Investments. More Places to Play, Walk and Get to the Water

Parks and trails are consistently one of the things Sooke residents say they value and want their tax dollars spent on. Sooke has more than 80 parks and green spaces – but they vary enormously in size, quality, and usefulness. We also have over 40 kilometres of trails and 40 public water access points throughout our community. The problem (or maybe opportunity is a better word) is that many aren't being used to their potential.

So let's go after the low-hanging fruit. Open a water access so you can carry your kayak to the water. Connect a neighbourhood to a trail. Turn an underused green space into a mini soccer pitch, T-ball area, or nature playground. Add a basketball hoop or small pump track. Make access easier for strollers and people with mobility challenges. Sometimes, just put up a sign so people know public access is there.

Not every location will work. Start with the ones that do. And as Sooke grows, let's make parks, trails, green space, and public waterfront access a priority from the beginning of every new development. Sooke Together will push to fund one or two achievable park, trail or water-access improvements every year – and require a clearer picture of parks, green space, trails and public access when major developments come forward. As Sooke grows, let’s make sure our access to parks, trails, green space and the water grows with it.