Centennial Park walk (NEW!) and fun game

Centennial Park is an 18.42 hectare community park, located in the 7500 block of Wallace Drive, in Saanichton. The actual address of Centennial Park is 7526 Wallace Dr, but you'll have to follow my directions below to find the parking lot at which we're meeting.

You might wonder which "centennial" the park is commemorating. Well, it was created in 1958 to celebrate the establishment of British Columbia as a Crown Colony 100 years earlier. Since then, the park has grown in size and now has a wide array of features including two sports fields (six ball diamonds), three concessions (open seasonally); a large children's playground; three picnic shelters; a lawn bowling green and club house; a lacrosse box; three tennis courts; walking trails!!; natural areas and a fieldhouse (with public washrooms).

Graham Creek flows along the western boundary of Centennial Park. Efforts to restore and enhance the creek have been made in recent years in partnership with the Hagan Creek - KENNES Watershed Project. Works have included installation of fencing along the creekside trail, interpretive signage and planting of native species within the riparian zone.

The trails in Centennial Park go through a lovely old growth forest area. The trails are easy to follow, and very well maintained. The trees cover the trail so it's very shaded with lush ferns everywhere. The pathway is wide and comfortable even with moderate traffic. Off leash dogs enjoy the freedom to romp and play.

Centennial Park is not huge in the way that PKOLS (Mt. Doug Park) is, and so we will follow a circuitous route around the park to make for a decent walk (3.4 km). As such, it will be important that all attendees pay close attention to the trail markers (surveyors flags) I will place to indicate the turns you should be taking. To aid with this, members are encouraged to participate in a walking game.

Upon arrival, attendees will receive a game card similar to the one shown in the Photos section of this Event. To play, just follow the instructions on the card, which are as follows...

"How to play: Our walking route is marked with yellow surveyors flags. Flags feature a number and a letter. Enter the letter in the blank box above the corresponding number. When complete, you should have a dog-related phrase, such as "Let sleeping dogs lie". Return your game card to Alex at the end of the walk. All correct entries will be entered into a draw to win a fun prize. Prize winner announced in the days following the event."

Attendees are not required to play the game, although doing so will help focus your attention on the surveyors flags and help keep you on the correct route.

As far as our meeting place is concerned, I trust you can get yourself on to Wallace Drive without too much difficulty. (Wallace Drive meanders all over the Saanich Peninsula. See the attached map.) Drive to Centennial Park at 7526 Wallace Drive. Turn into Centennial Park on Hovey Road. On either side of Hovey Road, you have Alexander Field and Centennial Field. Park at the end of Hovey Road (it's a dead end road). Look for my Small Dog Walk signs.