Denham Till Park

The Denham Till Park is located on the north side of Birch Road in North Saanich. This heritage site consists of a park with quince, hazelnut and apple trees, a playground area, and a large grassed lawn.

The Denham Till Park property was generously donated to the citizens of North Saanich by Dora Madeline Till (née Silva, 1888-1972) and her husband Frederich Dunham Till (1889-1959).

Born in England, Frederick Till was a commander in the Royal Navy, owned a tea plantation in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and worked for British Intelligence in Kenya. Madeline and Frederick immigrated to Canada in 1946 and, after taking up residence in North Saanich, became influential members of the community. Madeline Till was an accomplished concert pianist and an esteemed music teacher and also wrote for the Review and Islander Magazine. The British Columbia Registered Music Teachers’ Association commemorates Madeline Till’s commitment to the Victoria music community with a teaching award named in her honour.

Upon her death in 1972, Madeline bequeathed her house and property to the District of North Saanich, specifying that the land should be preserved as a public park to be known as ‘Denham Till Park’ in memory of her late husband, that the field on the property be turned into a playground for children, and that the fruit and nut trees be preserved for the enjoyment of the public. With their mature plantings and exotic fruit trees, the park and grounds still reflect the couple’s love of gardening and stand as a testament to their community-spirited bequest.

The Denham Till Residence (now removed) was an example of an Arts and Crafts-inspired bungalow, and included typical features, such as a hipped roof, exposed rafters and a three-quarter width open verandah. The interior was originally finished in wood, indicating economy of construction. The original owner was local businessman Ernest Frank Cruickshank, who resided here with his wife Lillian Roberta Johnston between 1928 and 1945.

Character Defining Elements

• Picturesque setting among mature coniferous and deciduous trees including apple and quince trees

Denham Till Park can be found at 744 Birch Road, just off of West Saanich Road, in the Deep Cove Area of North Saanich.