Gulf View Park

Gulf View Park is a one-hectare municipal park located east of East Saanich Road, on the eastern area of the peninsula in the District of North Saanich. The park features a flat-grassed area with picnic amenities and is surrounded by large deciduous and coniferous trees. The park offers views to the east of Bazan Bay, the southern Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands, and Mount Baker. Gulf View Park is valued as an early representation of the strong will of the North Saanich community to preserve land and viewscapes for public use and recreation. A community campaign was initiated in the 1930s to purchase the site, known as Experimental Farm Hill. Gulf View Park attains further value for serving as a National Gravity Net Station, which is marked with a metal plaque at the west slope of the site.

Character Defining Elements

• Continuous public use since 1936;
• Waterfront views to Bazan Bay, the southern Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker;
• Open spatial qualities including: access via gravel road; flat-grassed area; picnic tables and a bench; and large deciduous and coniferous trees;
• Hexagonal board-formed concrete foundations;
• Metal tag marked with “National Gravity Net Station” in English and French.