Central Saanich looks to double its Butterfield Park with an agreement to buy an adjacent 18-acre parcel of land for $3.2 million.
The purchase will nearly double the park and protect 10 acres of heavily forested land at 1124 Mount Newton Cross Rd., and includes selling about eight acres of bare land to fund the purchase, the district said in a news release.
“To see a large portion of heavily forested land that borders a park come for sale is rare, and something of this magnitude is a special opportunity,” said Mayor Ryan Windsor. “At the end of the process, we are looking for this to be a cost-neutral purchase, or close to, which is a wonderful outcome for the community.”
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Butterfield Park is a 13-acre property at 8000 Thomson Pl., off Mount Newton Cross Road. The district took on the care of the property in 1988 after Hilda Butterfield died. Her parents had owned the property since 1913 and the family was dedicated to preserving and protecting native wildflowers and plants. The property includes the restored house, extensive gardens and outbuildings. The restoration of the house earned a Hallmark Society Louis Award. The Butterfield house, barn, garage and shed were designated a municipal heritage site in 1992.
The park has a walking trail – just shy of a kilometre – called the Butterfield Park Loop, which connects to the two-kilometre Brown’s Wood Trail donated to the district by Dorothy and Bill Brown.
“Butterfield Park was made possible by a land donation for the intent of protecting and sharing the rare and exceptional beauty of the land,” Windsor said. “We are pleased to be able to expand on this gift to the community and ensure current and future generations can also care for and enjoy this beautiful area.”
Central Saanich said preparing the site for the public will take some time. The district plans to work with local First Nations and consult the community and local environmental groups as plans develop.
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