I was the supervisor of Beacon Hill Park for 12 years, from 1986 to 1998. I'm now retired.
Current road closures in the park are not working. The only closure needed was that of Park Boulevard and Heywood, as this was a shortcut from James Bay to Fairfield for workers, shoppers and speeders. Now with the closure of Bridge Way and the wagonwheel flower bed, 25 to 30 parking spaces have been eliminated. These were used for weddings, seniors' picnics, seniors' vans and the right side of Bridge Way for walkers and wheelchairs. Access to the closest washroom to the bandshell and playground is difficult.
Why was the entrance to the park from Dallas Road closed? Many people drive through the park daily as their mobility is no longer great. Parking near the cricket grounds is difficult to reach, and nonexistent for the totem pole.
Maintenance has fallen. Grass is being removed and replaced with sword ferns, which are not being trimmed, and with mulch. Weeds are spreading and half the rose beds have been removed, as they have in much of the rest of Victoria. The park used to have 30,000 summer annuals and 30,000 winter and spring plants, but not any more.
Let's get Beacon Hill Park back to what it was. Open Heywood Road southbound, from Bridge Way, one way only.
Reopen Circle Drive. Make the parking accessible for seniors and picnickers.
Let's make it once again the greatest public park in British Columbia.
Finn Anderson
Victoria
