Rec Report Newsletter: August/September 2025

Summer is not over! More FREE family fun is coming up - plan your next outing now.

StoryWalk:
3 StoryWalks remain this summer - don't miss out on these magical evenings combining nature and imagination, with a stroll along the trail with intermittent stops for pages of a story along the way. Learn more and save the dates:

Wednesday, August 6: Finding Wild, by Megan Wagner Lloyd
JDF Garry Oak Loop

Wednesday, August 13: From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea, by Kai Cheng Thom
CRD's Francis/King Regional Park (accessible boardwalk)

Wednesday, August 20: Hand in Hand, by Andrea Davis Pinkney
JDF Garry Oak Loop

Movies on the Hill:
Cozy up in your favourite PJs, pack your snacks and blanket, and come on down for a movie under the stars viewed on the giant inflatable movie screen. Best movie night ever!

August 14, 8:30PM: Mamma Mia!
Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, on the hill behind the Juan de Fuca Library

August 28, 8:00PM: Moana 2
Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, on the hill behind the Juan de Fuca Library

Neighborhood Nights:
Neighborhood Nights are back!
Every Tuesday, 6-8PM
Royal Bay Meadow Park, located off Metchosin Rd and Latoria Boulevard

Bring your family, friends, and neighbours for a fun-filled evening in the park with he Westshore Parks & Recreation Community Events Team. Enjoy games, activities, and the chance to connect with our wonderful community. Whether you're here to make new friends or just enjoy a pleasant night out, there's something for everyone! Don't forget to bring a blanket and some snacks.

No pre-registration required.
Program may be cancelled due to weather.
For more information, call 250-474-8665.

Level Up Your Ride: Pool Party & Street Throwdown

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Pre-Comp Skate Workshop + Jam Session
August 15 12-3PM: Thrifty Foods Skatepark 
21(ish) and under

August 1 was an epic day at the Thrifty Foods Skatepark, with the 94Forward team onsite for the first of several pre-comp skate workshops/jam sessions. The day started with workshop sessions led by top-tier pro coaches and experienced riders. We’re talking trick refinement, run building, mental prep, and everything you need to skate smarter and harder. After some solid trial runs to build confidence, riders put their skills to the test in a friendly mini-comp - - with no pressure, just good vibes and solid skating.

If you missed out on the Pool Party, drop down to the Thrifty Foods Skatepark on August 15 for Street Throwdown, when this rad event comes back with a focus on the street side of the park rather than the pool. Open to youth and emerging riders under 21(ish) who are ready to train, try a competition, and connect with the skate community. It's all about progression, style, pushing limits and building community. Whether you're eyeing the podium or just want to sharpen your skills, this is your chance to train with pros, dial in your tricks, and get comp-ready.

This isn’t just another skate event. It’s part of a bigger movement to support local athletes and build pathways to elite sport through 94Forward, a local organization whose purpose is "to perpetuate the spirit of the 1994 Commonwealth Games legacy and its intention to fund and support the on-going development of high performance sport within the Capital Regional District." You get real coaching, real comp experience, and a first-hand glimpse into the world of high performance skateboarding.

More info will drop at wspr.ca, @wsrecreation (IG), @westshorerecreation (FB) and follow @94forwardvictoria (IG) for all the dirt on local happenings. 

More Than Just a Dog Run: Biodiversity Under Our Feet

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Have you ever heard the saying, “We don’t know what we don’t know”? It’s a phrase the WSPR Parks team lives by—and for good reason. Every season brings new surprises, often hidden in plain sight, just beneath our feet.

Take this past spring, for example. Bryan, WSPR's dedicated Parks Supervisor, noticed a striking blue flower blooming along a trail. At first glance, he thought it was Camas, a common native plant. But something about it stood out. After consulting with environmental experts and doing a bit of botanical sleuthing, the team discovered it was actually a Triteleia howellii – Howell’s Triteleia, a rare species that’s red-listed in British Columbia. That means it’s considered at risk and is protected at the provincial or federal level. Even more exciting? WSPR is now recognized as one of only thirteen known sites in the entire province where this plant grows!

This discovery is a powerful reminder that our parks are more than just places to walk, run, or play—they’re living ecosystems, full of delicate and sometimes endangered species.

Want to help us learn more about what’s growing and thriving in our parks? Download the iNaturalist app, snap a photo of any plant or critter you come across, and contribute to our growing database of local biodiversity. Even the most unassuming flower or patch of grass could be ecologically significant.

Many native plants have short blooming seasons and may look like ordinary greenery the rest of the year. So next time you’re out walking your dog, laying down a picnic blanket, or exploring a trail, take a moment to tread lightly—you never know what rare beauty might be just beneath your feet.

Enjoy your time in the parks, and let us know what you discover!

Use the iNaturalist app, or visit the iNaturalist website to share your findings. No membership needed; the app automatically pins your findings to our location. 

Continuous Membership

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New to WSPR’s memberships? Stay flexible with the new Continuous Membership for ongoing savings, automatic monthly billing, and the freedom to cancel anytime without penalty. After your first month at the one-month membership rate, enjoy a discounted rate month after month! It’s all the benefits you love; with the flexibility you need. Join today!

Already a current annual membership holder?  Upgrade to our Continuous Membership and you will receive the first month at the discounted rate and continue to enjoy the convenience of monthly billing but with the added freedom to cancel anytime without penalty.  You’ll receive the same great benefits, but with more flexibility and control. Why wait? Make the switch today and stay connected on your terms.

Gaga Ball is Here

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We’re excited to introduce our brand-new Gaga Ball pit—a fast-paced, high-energy game that’s a hit with kids of all ages! Played in an octagonal pit, Gaga Ball is a gentler version of dodgeball where players aim to hit others below the knees with a soft ball while dodging, jumping, and ducking to stay in the game. It’s fun, inclusive, and a great way to stay active. Come check it out and join the action! Located next to the new outdoor pickleball courts in the WSPR Lower Park.