The City of Victoria has shared designs for the re-development of Topaz Park into a skate and bike skills park and is asking for public feedback.
Topaz Park is Victoria’s third largest and main recreational park in the city. It currently features amenities such as sports fields, a lacrosse box, leash-optional dog park, fitness equipment and a playground.
In May 2020, the park was home to over 350 homeless residents before the homeless camp was dismantled due to a provincial order. All residents living in the park at the time were offered temporary shelters secured by the province and BC Housing.
Now, the city has big plans to redevelop the park.
This project is part of the first phase of renovations to Topaz Park that are guided by the Topaz Park Improvement Plan.
The design for Topaz Park includes a 3,000 square metre skatepark and a 6,000 square metre bike park. The City of Victoria has invested nearly $8 million to construct the park and replace the artificial turf sports field.
The project is being led by New Line Skateparks, including a team made up of landscape architects, engineers, arborists, community outreach specialists, and construction professionals who are all high-level skateboarders and BMX/mountain biking enthusiasts. The team also includes gender equity, accessibility, and youth programming experts.
“The project team is working closely with an advisory committee of local skate and bike community leaders to help make important decisions about skill level, features and terrain,” said Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Thomas Soulliere.
Councillor Ben Isitt, a Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood liaison, believes the project will help Topaz Park “become a destination for local riders of all levels and for riders throughout the region.”
Construction on the skate and bike park is expected to begin in Fall 2021, and be completed in Summer 2022.
The community is invited to learn more and share their feedback on the proposed designs through an online survey by June 25th at engage.victoria.ca.
