Stretching 55 kilometres from Sooke to Victoria, the Galloping Goose Trail is celebrated for its natural beauty. But now, a visionary proposal is gaining traction – one that could transform this renowned transportation corridor into a vibrant community gallery, celebrating the region’s rich cultural and environmental tapestry.
Oliver Hockenhull, the driving force behind the idea, paints a vivid picture: “The Galloping Goose is an eco-wonder, passing through forests with views of the ocean and lakes.”
Hockenhull notes a void in the information along the trail, with only brief signs about local animals, electoral districts, or private property.
Hockenhull envisions the Galloping Goose Trail as a canvas for a community-driven gallery space where cultural expression and environmental art thrive. He emphasizes that the trail traverses diverse microclimates and ecosystems, offering a unique platform for creativity.
Art in public spaces fosters a stronger community-environment connection, a trend in Europe and the United States. Hockenhull believes that the Galloping Goose Trail is ripe for a similar transformation, but not at the expense of its natural beauty. The goal is to introduce information in a non-intrusive manner.
One approach involves enhancing the information available at local parking lots along the trail’s entry points. This would cater to hikers and bikers and provide content suitable for sharing on social media platforms. Hockenhull sees this as an opportunity to showcase the trail’s rich history, including First Nations’ heritage and geological marvels.
However, there are challenges to overcome.
The Galloping Goose Trail spans seven Greater Victoria municipalities and is maintained by the Capital Regional District (CRD). The CRD parks board must decide whether to embrace this innovative concept. Hockenhull acknowledges several communities along the trail are cultural and historical stakeholders, including the T’Sou-ke and Songhees Nations.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said she appreciates the idea and its passion and acknowledges discussing it at the CRD’s parks and First Nations relation committees.
“What I would endorse is the idea that the nations whose land is affected should initiate the conversation first,” Tait said.
The CRD is engaged in collaborations with 20 nations within the Capital Region to gain a deeper understanding of the priorities and concerns of the nations before proceeding with any actions.
Hockenhull’s vision extends to inviting First Nations members to share their stories and artifacts or designate sacred areas along the trail. He said all artwork and signage would be unobtrusive, respecting the environment as the foremost masterpiece.
The journey begins with a commitment to remediate the land by eliminating invasive species. From there, the project will unfold, guided by the vibrant spirit of the community, the creativity of local artists, and a shared concern for the environment.
“We’ve got a great community here, we’ve got great artists and we have a great concern of our environment, let’s bring it all together,” Hockenhull said.
For more on the Galloping Goose Project, visit GallopingGooseProject.ca.
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