www.friendsofbeaconhillpark.ca October 2001

Inside this issue: What Happened to the Cedars? Dr. Michelle Gorman, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator The Cedars by Mow me Down Many Park visitors have noticed the brown. Once the tree turns from Sea Shore Erosion dying cedars near the waterways and slightly lighter in color to more of a lakes. yellowish tinge - in general- 50% of the BHP Management Plan roots have already been infected. These cedars are know as Lawson A Sea of Blue Once the tree turns bronze, 75% or Cypress also known Port Orford Ce- more of the roots are involved with the Announcements dar, Chamaecyparis lawsoniania. disease. They have been infected with the dis- The Friends of Beacon Hill Park is ease: Phytophthora lateralis. a Society dedicated to preserving The fungus depends upon free water for the natural and cultural history of spread and infection so that trees along Beacon Hill Park and promoting The disease was first reported on law- appropriate uses in keeping with water ways around lakes and sloughs or its varied ecosystems. son cypress near Seattle in mild moist regions are the first to be- in 1923. It was not until 1942, in the As the population of Greater Vic- come infected. toria continues to grow and place Willamette Valley of Oregon, that the greater stress upon the park, we fungal cause was discovered and count on your support to help us Biological Agents: The City of Victoria continue our projects and work to named. The fungus is somewhat cooperated with Dr. R. S. Utkhede of help protect the park. unique in that swimming spores Agriculture Canada to study the use of Membership is $5.00 per house- (zoospores) burst forth from the spo- Enterobacter aerogens as a biological hold. Benefits include the satis- rangia in saturated soil and move with faction of helping preserve the control agent for P. lateralis in 1994 park, input in management of the the surface water. New infections of and 1995 with promising results. Un- park for the future use of all, and root tip occur as spore-bearing water participating in the Society’s ac- fortunately federal cutbacks removed tivities: percolates into the soil. Rootlets in- the resources for the continuation of fected with P. lateralis first appear to C monitor and keep abreast of this research and the findings remained park developments be watersoaked; then they darken. inconclusive needing a third year of C contribute to the newsletter and Fine roots quickly disintegrate. As share information on the park testing. C work on projects such as the fungus advances, the inner bark Native Plant Mapping and cambium of larger roots discolor C guided walks Fungicides: One fungicide is registered C organizational - phoning, pro- to a deep cinnamon brown. The dis- for the control of Phytophthora on or- gramme, refreshments, news- ease then proceeds to spread up the letter namentals in Canada and the City of trunk of the tree. Victoria has used this product for the You are welcomed to attend the monthly meetings of the directors. control of P.lateralis with limited suc- Please call for date and location. Foliage of infected trees appears cess. Early detection of the disease is of Friends of Beacon Hill Park slightly lighter in color than that of the utmost importance with controlling 1-366 St. Charles St., healthy trees and on warm spring (continued on page 3) Victoria, B.C. V8S 3N3 days, wilts slightly. Later the foliage 250-592-6659 withers, turns bronze and finally red

Page 1 Bikes in the Park by Cornelia Lange On going concerns about people’s actions in the terminus of the Vancouver Street)… park will be addressed with signs planned in specific areas of the Park. These signs will have Statements The existing Westsong Way path is 4 m of Conduct while in the Park says Joe Daly – Park wide. Cycling is banned along this path due Designer. Currently there are no signs telling cy- to concerns raised about pedestrian safety. clists where they can ride their bikes in the park, The conflicts between cyclists and pedestrian which must happen before enforcement can take ac- could be reduced by providing adequate con- tion. Mountain bikers frequent the rocky outcrops trol measures. It is suggested the city test in the park, as well, ride directly over grass mead- signs informing users that it is a “Joint Use ows and along trails. Path” and that “Cyclists must Yield to Pedes- trians,” in addition, posting a bicycle speed Painted on asphalt walkways is “NO CYCLING”, limit of 10 km/hr, and paint a center line. In although it has been worn over time. Signs prohibit- addition, during high use periods when con- ing bikes on the Dallas Road Walkway will be up in flicts would increase, the City should be pre- the Spring. A future meeting with Friends and Joe pared to assign Victoria Police bicycle pa- Daly – Park Designer, will include the cycling and trols to the area. mounted police to discuss concerns of bikes off road in Beacon Hill Park. In Beacon Hill Park, the City should review the provision of joint use of paths. This will The Bicycle Master Plan (City of Victoria, February require upgrading the standard of existing 1995) states: page 7, 1.1.7 paths. The Parks Department and the Bicy- “Experience in other communities suggests cle Advisory Subcommittee should collabo- that separated bicycle or joint bicycle- rate on the amendments due to the safety pedestrian paths can support commuting and concerns raised by the Parks Department.” recreational cycling by all age groups. Sepa- rated paths may be feasible where there is According to the recent Beacon Hill Park Manage- limited cross line and signs saying whether ment Plan Phase I Final Report by AXYS Environ- the path is for exclusive bicycle use or joint mental Consulting Ltd., page 93: quote pedestrian use. “Recommendation 18: Increase enforcement For joint use paths, special control measures within the park prohibiting bicycling and are necessary. “Pedestrian Keep Right” roller-blading outside of roads and pathways. signs should be posted and a speed limit should be considered. Whatever the design, The practice of biking and roller-blading has complaints are expected. A review process raised public concern about the potential should be available to evaluate the trends damage to natural areas caused by bikes par- and to involve a committee such as the Bicy- ticularly on ‘The Ridge’ area in the north- cle Advisory Subcommittee, City staff and western section of the park which experi- the public: ences a high incidence of use by mountain bikers both on and off trails. A city by-law Beacon Hill Park south of Dallas Road from prohibits biking, roller-blading and skate- Menzies Street in the west to Bushby Street boarding on sidewalks, however, the applica- in the east; tion of this by-law to pathways within city Beacon Hill Park from the intersection of parks is a gray area. There is no signage in Cook Street and Dallas Road in the southeast the park restricting the locations of these uses to Southgate and Blanshard Streets in the and enforcement of the city by-law is limited. northeast (with a spur to the Park Boulevard (Continued on page 3)

Page 2 Bikes in the Park (Concluded from previous page)

trails, if any, should be closed to cyclists and/ It is recommended that bicycling and roller- or roller-bladers.” blading continue to be permitted along roads Integrated into Phase II of the Beacon Hill Park and, as an interim measure pending the out- Management Plan, will be: come of Phase II, continue to be accepted • Refining/ assessing appropriate activity along all formal pathways but not encour- • Traffic & Trail Management Plan aged. Enforcement of ‘no cycling or roller- • Natural Areas Management Plan blading’ outside of roads and pathways • Heritage Component should be increased. A more detailed inven- • Operational/ policing and bylaws review tory of trails and further public consultation • Communication Plan with the cycling community, roller-bladers • Children’s Farm & Lawnbowling agree- and other park users should be undertaken as ment review part of Phase II to determine which park trails could potentially be upgraded to better Please write to Mayor & Council your interests on accommodate multiple users and which bicycle use in Beacon Hill Park.

What Happened to the Well Mow Me Down Cedars? (concluded from page 1) Success in our natural areas depends on the summer time mowers. Unfortunately mowing tall grass is this fungus; if more than 50% of the roots have been deemed necessary to reduce fire hazard in an area invaded, the fungicide won't work. Unfortunately, it susceptible to fires. Friends have worked with park takes an extremely well-trained eye to catch the dis- staff to mow mid July in order that meadow wild- ease when the tree is just slightly lighter in color. flowers can seed. Mowers move around the city boulevards and parks, so communication is essential If a Chamaecyparis has died of P.lateralis then a when trying to protect vulnerable areas in Beacon non- host to the fungus should be replanted at that Hill Park. Friends planted native plants near the new site. The disease already exists in the soil through- crosswalk area of Southgate last fall, and park staff out Victoria, Vancouver and extends from northern planted Garry Oak saplings near ornamental trees California to southern . Asiatic along the Heywood Meadow. Miscommunications Chamaecyparis and Alaska-cedar (C. nootkatensis) with replacement mowers caused these treasurers to are more resistant than Lawson cypress. Upgrading be mowed under. Mike Matthews, acting manager with more of these types of trees in our forested ar- of the Parks Department, will look for solution be- eas would be an option. fore next year. What do you think?

Is it a chair to relax on or is it a tombstone in mem- ory of a deceased tree? There are mixed reviews on the axe cutters actions when trees are removed from the Park. Some see the initialed stumps as an act of vandalism, and others see it as a whimsical organic seat for a restful stop. The Parks staff are interested in your opinion, but please request that your com- ments are recorded: 361-0060

Page 3 Sea Shore Erosion by Dr. T. Christopher Brayshaw, August 2000

A. CHARACTER OF THE SHORE: Deliberate attempts to improve on Nature are exem- The sea shore fronting Beacon Hill Park is mainly plified by the construction of promenades and sea rocky from Holland Point to Finlayson Point; Fonyo walls on the shore. These projects undercut and Beach being the only extensive stretch of shingle and steepend the slopes, and put structures to seaward cobble beach. of the natural high tide line, exposing them to dam- age or displacement by wave action. The rock shore is not eroded naturally by the sea at any significant rate; but the cobbles of Fonyo beach, The current condition of the promenade and sea wall exposed to southeasterly gales, are shifted back and on Fonyo Beach – built on a shiftable cobble beach forth along-shore by heavy wave action. and cut into the slope above, is an example of this type of project, and what can happen to it. Not only The long stretch of beach between Finlayson Point has the sea wall been broken, thus committing the and Clover Point has been shaped by the sea until, af- City to on-going damage control, dumping rocks on ter thousands of years of natural erosion, the beach the breached wall, but the undercut and over- and the banks behind it have become adjusted to an steepened slope above is experiencing a renewed cy- alignment of maximum sustainability. Erosion now cled of erosion. is slow, and is spread out along the length of the beach. Casual or inadvertent use includes the making of paths down the steep slopes to the shore, and along The rock promontories of Clover and Finlayson the shore, undercutting the base of the slopes. Points control the rate of erosion and the alignment of the beach by preventing the removal from the inter- The erosion of the banks at Finlayson Pint is an ex- vening bay and beach of any material that the waves ample of the effect of inadvertent action. Material may move along-shore. slumped down from the upper slopes left bare slopes at the upper edge, which receded rapidly for several Any disturbance of this shore line, however, can lead years. to accelerated local erosion as the sea attempts to re- adjust and restore the shore to a sustainable line. The erosion was affecting the upper slopes primar- ily, while the shore itself was maintaining its align- B. THE PERCIEVED EROSION: ment. Any soil that crossed the high tide line has been swept away and redistributed by wave action. The erosion that is seen to be taking place today The sea devours what we feed it. along the shore has two aspects:- (a) Locally, erosion is seen to affect the shore directly where there has The sea was thought to be responsible for the slope been human intervention in the shore line. (b) In erosion. However, and artificial berm built on the other places, erosion affects primarily the slopes beach in Horseshoe Bay, while protecting the base above the shore, and secondarily the shore itself, of the slope from wave impact, did not stop the ero- where it becomes covered by material brought down sion of the slopes above. from the eroding slopes above. That erosion stemmed mainly from a ponding of C. CAUSES AND EXAMPLES: run-off water from Beacon Hill in a depression be- hind Finlayson Point, whence the water found its Most of the erosion seen is of artificial origin: -- way to the shore via the clay subsoil, which became the consequence of either deliberate interference Saturated and semi-fluid; hence the instability and with, or inadvertent influence on, the natural shore slumping of the seaward slopes. line or its hinterland. (continued on page 5)

Page 4 Sea Shore Erosion (concluded from previous page) .

The recent extension of the storm drain system D. CONCLUSION through the upland area behind these seaward slopes has led to a drying out and stiffening of the subsoil It is noteworthy that the most conspicuous erosion as its main source of water has been channeled phenomena seen along our shore are effects of our away; and to stabilization of the slopes, where intervention in the natural processes maintaining the slumping has ceased, and the once-bared slopes have shore line and its hinterland. become revegetated. It behooves us to exercise restraint in the face of temptation to tinker with the shore and its environ- ment. Beacon Hill Park Management Plan Phase 1 Excerpt from Final Report p. 89 7.4.6. Summary ered wholly and unequivocally inappropriate with the “Deriving recommendations on appropriate uses, par- exception of illegal uses (Section 7.6.1.), specific com- ticularly those endorsed by the public, is confounded by mercial uses aimed at corporate or private profit genera- the broad range of public views. The public comments tion, and specific large events as defined by the ruling received during Phase I spanned the spectrum between of Justice Wilson, 1998. Most of the activities them- removing all facilities and gardens and restoring the site selves, can be in keeping with the Trust, by operating in to natural vegetation, to adding more facilities such as a manner which complements the character and nature food concessions, sports fields, a go-cart course, a of the park, and by implementing mitigation measures maze, and developing an enhanced tourism product at which minimize the environmental and social impact as Mile Zero. Beacon Hill Park means different things to long as, when taking into account the cumulative impact different people and there is clearly no consensus of other activities, they do not exceed the carrying ca- among the public. Decision-makers are led to attempt pacity of the park. to manage Beacon Hill Park to be ‘all things to all peo- ple’, which cannot possibly be accommodated in a park Further, it is recommended that recreation and leisure of its size. Additionally, the central location of the facilities currently in use can remain in use and may be park, and its free and open access, make prohibiting enhanced as needed provided these facilities are oper- otherwise legitimate public uses difficult from both a ated according to the current policy framework. Spe- political and enforcement standpoint. Decision-makers cifically, the present operation of the Children’s Farm- are thus faced with making unpopular decisions regard- yard and Lawnbowling Club appears to contravene the less of their best intentions. Therefore, it is important terms of the Trust and is inconsistent with the direction that decisions on appropriate use be framed and coordi- provided in the Long Term Policies for Beacon Hill nated with respect to activity allocation, siting, timing, Park. management and enforcement at a more detailed plan- ning level. The application of agreed-upon criteria in the assess- ment of human uses in Beacon Hill Park will serve to While it has been established that the public has widely ensure both the spirit of the Trust and the vision for varying views on appropriate use, there is clear agree- Beacon Hill Park are realized into the future.” ment the Beacon Hill Park is a place for strolling, pic- You can check out the Consultant’s Summary Report nicking, relaxing, admiring flowers, bird and wildlife on the city’s website watching, enjoying scenic vistas and visiting historic http://www.city.victoria.bc.ca/beaconhill/ sites. Furthermore, based on an understanding of the The consultant’s environmental report outlines that the existing policy framework (Trust, legal rulings, laws, Sensitive Natural Areas of the Park have reached their policies and guidelines), a comprehensive review of environmental capacity. Friends continue to be con- public opinions regarding appropriate use, and an analy- cerned about any activity spilling over into sensitive ar- sis of the park’s carrying capacity, it is concluded that eas because the nature of the park is open and accessi- no activity currently occurring in the park are consid- ble. Activity containment has not been successful.

Page 5 Roundtable Update by J. Goldman The Roundtable discussions, having been recon- It is of interest to note why the park is considered vened October 13, 2001, found the Environment to be a desirable venue: Sector and others yet again requesting that legal 1. It is attractive and historical references be made available to the 2. It is accessible participants. The rationale behind this insistence 3. Little or no liability is attached is, when all else fails, reference must be made to 4. Most important of all – it is a FREE venue documents that govern Beacon Hill Park in order to aid deliberations. That there be resistance to The next meeting of the Roundtable will address consulting these documents, when in any negotia- ‘commercialism’ in the park. That this must be tions dealing with a trust asset, failure to do so considered at all reflects the lack of responsible would be regarded as negligent and downright stewardship under which the park so long has lan- reckless, continues to confound. guished.

The Environmental Sector, of which the Friends That said, the Environmental sector is gratified a of Beacon Hill Park is the active constituent, shall ‘state of the Environment Report’ has been created continue to strive to protect Beacon Hill Park. It by AXYS Consultants and shall do its utmost to remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure the rectify any inaccuracies, inconsistencies, or omis- appropriateness of all activities vis a vis this park sions should they be discovered. by asking the most pertinent question, “Is an ac- tivity necessary or incidental to the defining char- Roundtable discussions to “Restrict Commercial- acteristic of the park?” ism” will be held at City Hall, City Council Cham- bers 9-4 PM on November 3rd, 5th, 24th and Decem- In other words, does the park need the event or ber 8th. Anyone may come to observe and your in- does the event need the park? terests/concerns can be communicated to the Envi- ronment Chair – Helen Oldershaw. A Sea of Blue: Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, BC by Brenda Costanzo, M.Sc., Registered Professional Biologist

Reprinted with permission from the Newsletter of the now approximately 154 acres in size, surrounded on North American Native Plant Society three sides by the City of Victoria, and by the on the fourth. As early as 1850, the Hudson’s Bay Company set aside a public park in Fort Victoria. However, Bea- Beacon Hill has retained its wild side and is now fa- con Hill Park was not made official until 1882 mous for its stunning views of native purple flower- through an amendment by legislature to the Public ing camas (Camassia quamash) in April each year. Parks Act. Beacon Hill Park was intended for the These fields of camas were originally part of native citizens of Victoria as a place to relax, to enjoy na- Garry oak () grassland and wood- ture and to get away from city life. Over the years, lands - ecosystems currently ranked as endangered various formal flowerbeds, walking paths, roadways by the provincial Conservation Data Centre. Beacon and ponds were constructed, partially based on John Hill Park has 15 rare plant species native to these Blair’s 1889 plan for Beacon Hill Park. Around the Garry oak habitats. Dr. Christopher T. Brayshaw th turn of the 20 century, a cricket pitch and lawn (Research Associate and Emeritus Curator of Bot- bowling green were added to the park, and today any, Royal British Columbia Museum) has outlined there are soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, a six vegetative types within the park. Along with the putting green and a petting zoo. Beacon Hill Park is Garry oak grassland and woodlands, there are also (continued on page 7) Page 6 A Sea of Blue (continued from previous page)

Douglas-fir woods, black cottonwood forests and teers. During one salvage operation performed by moist shrub habitat. There are approximately 60 na- the Girl Guides, numerous corms of white fawn lily tive plant species within the Garry oak habitats and (Erythronium oregonum) were collected from a sub- 53 native plant species in the Douglas-fir woods. division site in Victoria. Now, these fawn lilies Both of these areas became the subjects of restora- bloom every spring in the Southeast Woods and are tion projects over the past ten years. one of the success stories of the project

In 1989 a group called the Friends of Beacon Hill An objective of the Friends of Beacon Hill was to Park formed in an effort to preserve a section of the ensure park management practices included the en- park known as the Southeast Woods. The Friends hancement and preservation of natural areas. Ac- approached City Council in April 1989 to preserve cordingly, a second restoration project was com- these woods and to ask permission to conduct a res- pleted in conjunction with the City Parks staff of toration project. After City Council’s approval, Anne Beacon Hill Park, who propagated the plants for the Fletcher, Helen Oldershaw and Joel Ussery led the project. In February 2000, they planted a variety of project for the Friends from 1990 to 1995. The resto- native species in a Garry oak/rock outcrop area that ration began with the removal of encroaching weedy had been degraded by mountain bikers. In this site, species in the 800-metre-square plot. The Southeast clumps of small Quercus garryana seedlings were Woods were originally a coniferous canopy of set out in three bed-like arrangements dug out of the Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and grand fir non-native grass under existing Garry oaks. These (Abies grandis), with smaller numbers of broad- oak seedlings were complemented by several species leafed maple (Acer macrophyllum), red alder (Alnus of native shrubs and perennials including: red- rubra) and pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia). The un- flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), Nootka rose derstory shrubs and the forest floor had been altered (Rosa nutkana), fawn lilies (Erythronium ore- by past activities in the area, and exotic trees had gonum), shooting stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii), also been introduced. satin flower (Sisyrinchium douglasii) and two spe- cies of camas (Camassia leichtlinii and C. qua- In November 1990, the restoration project in the mash). Southeast Woods began with the planting of Doug- las-fir, grand fir, trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus), Due to the various changes and uses within the park swordfern (Polystichum munitum), star flower over the 100 years, these sensitive Garry oak habi- (Trientalis latifolia), tall Oregon grape (Mahonia aq- tats have been altered by development, mowing, uifolium) and dull Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa), planting of exotic species and seeding of large areas lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) and trillium with non-native grasses. In 1958, the grassy southern (Trillium ovatum). These plantings were monitored, slope of the park, where camas bloom each spring, plant species listed and location documented, and was planted with daffodils. Once native plant species progress reports were sent to the City of Victoria have been disturbed, they are susceptible to replace- Parks Department. The Friends were supported by a ment by aggressive exotic species such as Scotch grant from the Victoria Natural History Society. The broom (Cytisus scoparius) in open areas, and Eng- Royal British Columbia Museum’s Botanical Cura- lish ivy (Hedera helix) and holly (Ilex aquifolium) in tors offered advice on species for the restoration pro- wooded areas. ject, and assisted with ongoing plant inventories within the park. Weeding and planting were carried Throughout the past ten years, the Friends of Beacon out by a volunteer committee and by the Ninth Vic- Hill Park have tirelessly served the interests of the toria Girl Guides (Cadboro Bay), led by Agnes general public in preserving and partially restoring Lynn. Native plants were obtained from a special- the natural plant communities of Beacon Hill Park. ized nursery (Fraser’s Thimble Farms), from the They have also promoted the awareness of these Heritage Tree Program and donations from volun- (continued on page 8) Page 7 Sea of Blue (cont’d) Special Events Report plant communities at various community events. by Friends of Beacon Hill Park Along with the Royal British Columbia Museum Friends documented the difficulties attendant with and the Victoria Natural History Society, the special events in 2000-2001—crowds, trampling, Friends conduct a natural history day in the park noise, disregard for park bylaws and event guidelines, every April, known as Camas Days. There are ar- commercialism, and impact on the Park’s character. chaeological/anthropological, ornithological/ Friends presented the resulting report to mayor, coun- entomological and botanical tours offered to the cil, and city staff. We thank those who met with us: public free of charge. By organizing this day of Mayor Allan Lowe events, as well as spearheading the restoration pro- Councillor Denise Savoie jects, the Friends have successfully increased pub- Councillor Rob Fleming lic awareness of the natural heritage in Beacon Hill Councillor Jane Lunt Park. The Friends have collaborated with the City Councillor Pamela Madoff Parks Department and ensured the natural areas are Councillor Helen Hughes considered in park management practices. Joe Martignago – City Manager Donna Atkinson – Community Services Brenda Costanzo is a past chair of the Native Plant Elizabeth Low – Community Services Study Group of the Victoria Horticultural Society, Joe Daly – Parks and currently one of the directors for the South Coastal Region of the Native Plant Society of Brit- Councillor Bea Holland, Councillor David McLean, ish Columbia. She has been involved with native Councillor Art Vanden Berg have not responded. plant gardening for 20 years, and has planned, de- signed and implemented two public plant gardens: Friends Board of Directors one at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary in Victoria, B.C., and one at the University of Vic- Helen Oldershaw – chair toria. Roy Fletcher – treasurer Cornelia Lange – secretary Agnes Lynn – membership committee chair Announcements Dr. Renata Varwig – phoning committee chair Dr. T. Brayshaw – botany specialist\ honary director Victoria Horticultural Society Many thanks to our members who support the preser- NATIVE PLANT STUDY GROUP vation of Beacon Hill Park with your $5.00 annual Uvic, D.F. Strong Building in Room C108 at 7 PM membership fee. Please invite your friends to join. every third Thursday We are committed to send quarterly newsletters com- $2 contact: 361-3122 municating a variety of Park issues and information.

OCTOBER 18, 2001 If you have a red dot on your mailing label, this means Jill Harris, Coast Salish Penelakut tribe, speaking on that we haven't received your annual $5.00 member- Cultural Landscapes in Indigenous Cultures. ship. Your monetary contribution helps with postage

and other expenses. A special “Thank you” to those NOVEMBER 15, 2001 who sent in donations. Brenda Callan, PhD, Forest Pathologist, Canadian Forest Service, speaking on “Trees and Tree Dis- eases”. Bev Glover We regret the passing of Bev Glover, a trusted Vic- JANUARY 17, 2002 toria Natural History Society member who attended Rob Cummings, PhD, Curator of Entomology, Camas Day faithfully. She was well regarded by Royal BC Museum, speaking on the Natural History botanists, birders and her students at UVic and will of Dragon Flies. be missed by Friends members.

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