John Phillips Memorial Park & Ponds Corridor

Last updated August 11, 2022

John Phillips Memorial Park, named for the groundskeeper who dedicated much of his time and talents to enhancing the space, is located at 2201 Otter Point Road, next to the District of Sooke Municipal Hall, between Otter Point Road, Wadams Way, and Townsend Road. This seven-hectare parkland, formerly operated as a golf course, features a pond, 1.52 kilometres of gravel walking trails, Douglas fir, hemlock and cedar groves.

The park area extends via the Stickleback Urban Trail to Ponds Corridor. Ponds Corridor is an additional 2.5 acres of linear parkland.

Park Highlights

  • Access to many great trails in neighbourhoods and small trail connections in and around the town centre
  • Natural wetland home to 83 species of birds, frogs and red-eared slider turtles
  • Attractive hilly space (used for sledding in winter) with mowed grass and diverse species of trees
  • A popular destination for dog walkers
  • Water fountain with water bottle fill station and pet faucet
  • Park washrooms – open dawn to dusk

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Park Philosophy

As reported in 2005 and 2016, community response shows a strong desire for a park that:

  • Maintains our green space and preserves the natural areas while making the best use of the parks’ greatest feature, the pond.
  • Promotes an active, well-used park that caters to the general public.
  • Serves a wide range of community needs including those of seniors, families, youth, children and tourists and provides accessibility for those with special needs.
  • Provides a central gathering area for family and neighbourhood groups, festivals, community markets.
  • Acts as a hub with pathways connecting to community trails and the downtown core.
  • Provides adequate parking with additional access to be by pathways.

Recreational Zones

Community and committee planning considers the park area to be of three zones:

  • Wildlife Zone: wetlands, pond, meadow with natural grasses and shrubs, boardwalk, gazebo, etc.
  • Passive Recreation Zone: picnic, informal games, loop trail, etc.
  • Community Activities Zone: activity areas, shelter, washrooms, parking as required, multi-use activities such as country market or family and community gatherings and festivals, family and children’s play area, etc.

Park Enhancements

With the approval of the parks and trails master plan in October 2020, enhancements are set to take shape at John Phillips Memorial Park. The revised master site planning will include additional parking, a fenced dog park within Ponds Park Corridor, and planning of a multi-use community area to maximize the functionality of this community asset (in follow-up to the 2016 consultation).

The District’s Parks & Trails Master Plan identifies continued community engagement for John Phillips Memorial Park and with that, additional opportunities will be available as an updated master plan for the park is developed:

  • Alternative Approval Process to lease a portion of John Phillips Memorial Park to support the development of multi-use community facility: 8:30 a.m. August 12 to September 15, 2021 at 4:00 p.m, MORE >>
  • Fenced dog park at Ponds Park Corridor: public input received May 4, 2021 to June 4, 2021. PROJECT UPDATES >> 

Frequently Asked Questions (& Answers)

What consultation has taken place on John Phillips Memorial Park? What work has been completed in response to this consultation?

In August 2005, a Committee (John Phillips Memorial Park Trust Committee) was established with a mandate to develop and implement a process resulting in a recommendation for John Phillips Memorial Park.

The 15-month process received submissions requesting a wide range of amenities including buildings, recreation facilities, sports fields, special use areas, natural areas, and activity zones.

On November 10, 2006, the final report was approved by Council and included:

  • A phased approach to the development of the park; and
  • Within the phases, park enhancements may include:
    • Preservation/restoration of the wetlands and pond area
    • Establishing a meadow area
    • Development of accessible pathways
    • Boardwalks through sensitive areas
    • Lighting additions
    • Additional picnic areas – four picnic tables as of fall 2020
    • Picnic shelter
    • Permanent washroom structure – completed 2019
    • Expanded parking (to be adequate but only as extensive as required)
    • Open activity areas for non-structured recreation
    • Amenities and facilities provided by volunteer groups
    • Special plantings
    • Gazebo
    • Multi-purpose structure for functions, gathering, country market, etc.
    • Play area for families and children
    • Putting green

Park grooming and trail additions being made from 2008 to 2012.

Other amenities considered for JPMP over the years, include a bike park, horseshoe pitch, dog park and disc golf. Apart from the disc golf, these community amenities have since been built elsewhere: the Sooke Bike Park opened at SEAPARC in March 2015, the horseshoe pitch opened in 2016 across from Fred Milne Park on Sooke River Road, and a fenced dog park opened in Pond’s Park Corridor earlier this year.

In November 2014, The District posed the following referendum question to residents during the 2014 municipal election: “Would you support the District of Sooke working with the community to develop multi-use community centre facilities?”

The vote yielded 3,072 for and 631 against after 3,881 votes were cast.

Trail expansions and the addition of picnic tables and benches were added in 2016.

In 2016, further community consultation on John Phillips Memorial Park also occurred, yielding results consistent with the previous consultation in 2006 and the work of the John Phillips Memorial Park Trust Committee and prioritized a “community use area” (pictured similar to the Charter’s Creek Interpretive Centre Facility) as one of the next projects for the space.

On October 13, 2020, Council approved the Parks and Trails Master Plan to continue to shape the future enhancements of the District’s parks and trails. The master planning process informs what the community can expect to see taking place at John Phillips Memorial Park, along with other parks and green spaces in the community.

This history led to Council’s decision to initiate an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) regarding the disposal of a portion of parkland through a long-term lease with the Sooke Lions.

The AAP provided an opportunity for residents to vote against the proposal and took place from August 12, 2022, to September 15, 2021. Approval of the electors was obtained with 1,026 valid response forms representing 9.13% of the eligible voters voting against the proposal and allowing for the disposition of interest in parkland through a lease.

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What changes will be made to John Phillips Memorial Park in the coming months? What is the timeline?

Much of this will be informed by the community. Please participate in available engagement opportunities. Prioritized amenities will then be identified in the annual budget. To learn more about the District’s annual budget, visit Budget 2023 | Let’s Talk Sooke.

What is permitted in Public Recreation (P1) Zoning

The purpose of land zoned “Public Recreation (P1)” is to provides for public recreation use with the District of Sooke.

Permitted uses include:

PRINCIPAL:

  • Agriculture
  • Amusement facility – outdoor
  • Assembly use
  • Campground *
  • Ecosystem preservation
  • Institutional uses accessory to public parks
  • Nature centre
  • Playground
  • Private club

SECONDARY:

  • Accessory dwelling unit, one per lot *
  • Concession
  • Country market
  • Office in nature centre
  • Parking lot
  • Temporary accommodation

Park Background

Determining Park Use

A John Phillips Memorial Park Trust Committee was formed in the summer of 2005, with a mandate to develop and implement a process resulting in a recommendation for the future of the park. On November 10, 2006 the final report was approved by Council and included:

  • A phased approach to the development of the park
  • Within the phases, park enhancements may include:
    • Preservation/restoration of the wetlands and pond area
    • Establishing a meadow area
    • Development of accessible pathways
    • Boardwalks through sensitive areas
    • Lighting additions
    • Additional picnic areas – four picnic tables as of fall 2020
    • Picnic shelter
    • Permanent washroom structure – completed 2019
    • Expanded parking (to be adequate but only as extensive as required)
    • Open activity areas for non-structured recreation
    • Amenities and facilities provided by volunteer groups
    • Special plantings
    • Gazebo
    • Multi-purpose structure for functions, gathering, country market, etc.
    • Play area for families and children
    • Putting green

Project Milestones

  • Trail additions connecting Townsend access to Otter Point Road access was completed in 2012.
  • Community youth expressed a keen interest in a bike slalom run. A new location for this community amenity was selected and the Sooke Bike Park opened in March 2015 at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, located at 2168 Phillips Road.
  • The loop trail additions and further connection from Townsend to Otter Point Road were completed in 2016.
  • Water fountain with water bottle fill station and pet faucet was completed 2019.
  • Washrooms, wayfinding signage and a park kiosk were added in 2020.

Photo Gallery


Contact
District of Sooke Parks Department
Tel: 250.642.1634
Email: parks@sooke.ca