The District of Saanich announced on Tuesday that they have acquired a new piece of park land that was donated by a local man through his will.
The late Mr. Brian Patriquin instructed that a portion of his property at 1360 Queensbury Street be gifted to the District upon his death.
Patriquin’s donation is a parcel of seasonal wetland which is part of the greater wetland known as King’s Pond, off Queensbury Avenue.
The District says that the transfer of land fulfills Patriquin’s intentions and contributes to Saanich’s park goals. It was identified for acquisition in the Quadra Local Area Plan.
The donated half-acre will link up King’s Pond Park to the north and Cedar Hill Park to the south.
Patriquin also asked that the pond on the donated parcel be named “Jenkins Pond” in honour of his maternal grandparents, who also resided on the property.
The District says that in recognition of this wish the new parcel has been named “Jenkins Pond Park” and will be commemorated with a bench next to the pond.
“The Queensbury home/farm was a place where people in the surrounding area could enjoy the serenity,” said a family representative.
“Brian loved those memories and cherished the gift of owning the property after his grandparents and mom passed away. His idea from the start was to give the land and pond to Saanich so they can continue to be the great stewards of the property that he was.”
