In early 2003, The Land Conservancy launched an exciting new parkland acquisition in partnership with the Capital Regional District Parks Department. Together we have purchased 172 acres (67.98 hectares) of gorgeous forest and wetlands joining Thetis Lake and Mount Work Regional Parks.
Important for their high environmental values, once protected these lands also provide a trail connection between the parks which was first proposed over 25 years ago. The acquisition is a key objective in the CRD Parks Master Plan and will result in a fabulous trail system linking parklands from the Gowlland Range, overlooking Saanich Inlet, through Mount Work to Thetis Lake and beyond to Mill Hill and the Galloping Goose Trail.
Acquisition Details
The acquisition includes three parcels, the first of which has been successfully purchased by CRD Parks using $375,000 from their Parkland Acquisition Fund. The remaining two parcels have been jointly purchased through a TLC/CRD Parks partnership, with CRD providing $232,750 and TLC contributing $350,000 through community fundraising to cover the balance plus costs.
TLC determined that its best strategy would be to concentrate on raising the bulk of the funds ($300,000) in major gifts toward the purchase before launching a public campaign to raise a final $50,000.
Unfortunately, the timing of this campaign was difficult. Other worthy community fundraising campaigns were already in the works when the opportunity to purchase these lands came up, but because there were other buyers interested in developing the land, we felt we could not pass up the opportunity to purchase it now or risk losing the trail corridor forever.
We chose not to go to the public at the same time as other major campaigns and so concentrated on quietly asking for major gifts face-to-face. Unfortunately, this strategy was not successful in raising the needed funds.
As the deadline for the acquisition was coming up very quickly, and without the necessary strong public support this trail connection was in jeopardy. TLC therefore decided to launch an emergency public campaign to try and raise the required $350,000 in cash and pledges by August 15th so that we are able to commit to the purchase.
Through a tremendous community effort, supported by local running clubs, our media partners like the Times-Colonist and Shaw TV, and boosted on the last day before the commitment deadline by a 3 hour Pledge drive aired on CFAX radio, the funds were raised to complete the acquisition.
We have always know that many people in the Capital Region care deeply about the region’s parks and trails and the tremendous public response to this campaign confirmed just how deeply they do care.
