REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: August 30, 2021 Report No. P&R-21-004
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Rick Daykin, Manager, Parks and Facilities
SUBJECT:
Title
Saxe Point Park Natural Area Management PlanEnd
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the natural area management plan strategies outlined in staff report P&R 21-004 be approved.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
The climate action plan will be a relevant document after it is approved.
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Enhance opportunities for Parks & Recreation
BACKGROUND:
Saxe Point Park is a world class municipal park located in the Township of Esquimalt. The park is situated on a peninsula overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca with incredible views of the Olympic Mountains. It is comprised of 14.75 acres of land containing large open spaces, beautiful gardens, 1.8 km of trails, a washroom facility, picnic areas, parking for 75 cars, 2 sandy beaches, dog friendly trails, a parks works yard, and forested and coastal bluff natural areas. It is a place of exceptional beauty and home to diverse flora and fauna. Saxe Point Park provides a genuine source of pride for residents and enjoyment for all visitors.
The development of natural area management plan strategies for Saxe Point Park is critical at this stage to help manage the effects of climate change and the increasing number of people who visit the park. The strategies presented in this report will help to protect and restore the biodiversity of the ecologically sensitive areas in the park and strengthen and build awareness on the importance of conservation.
ISSUES:
1.) Rationale for Selected Option
A. Protect and restore the biodiversity of ecologically sensitive areas
Strategy #1
The removal of invasive plants in Saxe Point Park is an important strategy to ensure that plants such as english ivy, himalayan blackberry and daphne do not over-populate and choke out the existing native vegetation.
It is recognized that the sheer volum...
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