Letter from Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society Re: Mary Lake Park - October 24, 2016

24 October 2016

Mayor Screech and Council Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, B.C. V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Screech and Councilors

The Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society (GVGS) wishes to invite the Town of View Royal to support the Society in creating a 73 acre park at Mary Lake in the District of Highlands. Accessed from Millstream Road, en route to the Gowlland Range, only 20 minutes from View Royal, the Society believes a lake park would be attractive to View Royal residents. The GVGS has a Contract of Purchase for the land around the lake. Our Society has been promoting greenspace in the Capital Region since 1979.

There are many ways in which a park in this location would be a great asset to View Royal residents:

1. It protects a portion of the Millstream watershed.
2. It creates the final link in a 25 km world-class trail loop.
3. It would be fully accessible to people of all mobility levels thanks to its paved driveway.
4. It has a 7 ac lake for swimming.
5. It protects the habitats of 6 species on federal and provincial endangered lists.
6. It has the potential to host nature programs and outdoor activities.

Please visit our website www.marylakeconnections.ca for more information on the potential benefits of a Mary Lake Park and trail link. Videos showing the natural beauty of the proposed park are shown on the website. A map is attached showing the potential 25 km trail loop.

The Society would be pleased to receive a letter of support from the Town of View Royal and to be able to show the Town’s logo on our material indicating your support.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bob McMinn: Chair – 250.478.4403 Koi Neah: Director – 250.474.4324