Oak Haven Park
Traditionally called SṈIDȻEȽ ŦIŦEL SṈÁNET (meaning SṈIDȻEȽ hill/mountain), Oak Haven Park was created in 1997, to protect a forested hilltop area of 10.2 ha (25.2 acres) with high conservation values. This area encompasses Garry Oak meadows and mossy rock outcrops, which are part of a larger natural ecosystem associated with SṈIDȻEȽ (Tod Inlet/Creek and the Gowlland Range). The long-established Oak-moss communities on the rocky outcrops here create Sombric Brunisol soils and are a unique vegetation type in the Salish Sea and Southern Vancouver Island.
The natural scenery is spectacular, affording views over Saanich Inlet, the farmland of Central Saanich, and Mount Baker to the east.
Due to urban expansion, this habitat type is rapidly disappearing the Salish Sea and across Southern Vancouver Island.
In 2004, the Land Conservancy and Habitat Acquisition Trust covenanted Oak Haven Park to halt development and reduce threats to the park such as erosion, and species loss from heavy foot traffic.
A home for nature
Home to over 90 native plant species including blacktail deer, black bear, cougar, raccoons and other small mammals as well as a diversity of birds, bats and rodents, this park is an important habitat corridor for wildlife in the region.
The upper part of the park area has a mosaic of open, scrub and parkland forest vegetation of Garry Oak with snowberry, ocean-spray, and grasses such as bluegrass and California oatgrass, mixed with rock outcrops covered by grass and moss. Colourful Springtime blooms include fawn lilies, camas, sea blush and satin flower.
The lower part of the park supports open forests of Douglas-fir with an understory of ocean-spray, hairy honeysuckle and moss.
Much of the park has been shown to be highly sensitive to wildlife disturbance as well as having a high potential for wildlife species at risk, so please stay on designated trails, pack out what you pack in, and have fun!
Community-based Restoration and Stewardship
HAT has been working with the community to form “Friends of Oak Haven Park” volunteer stewardship group for this natural area with local residents. The Friends of Oak Haven Park meets monthly for restoration work in the park. If you are interested in joining the Friends of Oak Haven Park group to support invasive species removal and other stewardship related activities on the land, please contact us at volunteers@hat.bc.ca, or sign up via our online form.
Sign up to know more about the Oak Haven Stewardship Group.