Staff Report - Veterans Memorial Park – Road Closure (Aldwynd Road) / Road Closure Bylaw No. 2246 background

BACKGROUND:

The City announced the expansion of Veterans Memorial Park and the proposed closure of Aldwynd Road in June of 2022 after purchasing the former Masonic Hall at 679 Goldstream Avenue and five lots east of Aldwynd Road. The closure of this portion of Aldwynd road and the dedication of these additional parcels as park will nearly double the size of Veterans Memorial Park and provide valuable green space in the city center for Langford residents.

The Parks and Trails Master Plan adopted in February of 2026 includes specific recommendations to expand and enhance Veterans Memorial Park. The Plan is informed by extensive public engagement conducted between March and November 2025. Additional public engagement focused specifically on the park expansion was done during the summer of 2025 and included an online survey and in-person pop-up events at the Goldstream Farmers Market and Fridays at the Station.

Further public engagement was provided through an informational post card mailout sent on March 25th. The mailout identified the area of proposed closed road and notified residents that Council will consider the closure of Aldwynd road at the April 7th meeting, that the closed road is intended to be dedicated as Park, and that construction is anticipated to take place between late April and September 2026. Project signage boards will be installed on either side of the park at the end of April.

COMMENTARY:

The City has contracted Lanarc Consultants and ISL Engineering for the park expansion design and to assist with the road closure. Approximately 13,000m2 of road has been identified for closure. Sanitary sewer, stormwater, CRD water, as well as BC Hydro, and telecommunication infrastructure are known to exist in the portion of road to be closed. Notification has been sent to the utility operators as required by the Community Charter. The utilities will remain in place and SRW will be registered prior to park dedication.

The Fire Department has required that emergency access from Goldstream Avenue to Fairway Avenue is maintained and public engagement has identified Aldwynd Road as an active transportation corridor. The park expansion design will ensure the area of closed road will be paved with brick pavers and incorporate roll over curbs, accessible ramp letdowns, and removable bollards such that sufficient access is provided.

Public Access to and from the Aldwynd neighbourhood south of the closed road will be provided from the existing signalized intersection at Fairway Avenue and Goldstream. We note that Eileen Anderson Drive is a private property driveway for the Royal Colwood Golf Course.

Reoccurring summer events at Veterans Memorial Park will be repositioned to temporary locations for the 2026 season. The Goldstream Farmers Market will operate from a new greenspace at 744 Danbrook Ave adjacent to Danbrook Park. Music in the Park will move to the Langford Station at 720 Station Ave.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

The area of closed road is intended to be dedicated as Park and no disposition of land is necessary. The Veterans Memorial Park expansion project is included in the 2026 capital budget and budgeted to be funded through Parkland Improvement Development Cost Charges.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

Public notification of the road closure as required by Provincial legislation will be provided prior to the adoption of Road Closure Bylaw No. 2246. There are no known legal implications associated with the closure and disposal of this portion of road.

OPTIONS:

Option 1

THAT Council give 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings to Road Closure Bylaw No. 2246, 2026 (a portion of Aldwynd Road);

AND

THAT Council instruct staff to proceed with the notification process.

OR Option 2

THAT Council take no action with respect to Road Closure Bylaw No. 2246, 2026 at this time (a portion of Aldwynd Road).

SUBMITTED BY:

James Oliver, Deputy Approving Officer, Senior Land Development Technologist

Concurrence:

• Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development
• Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services
• Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development
• Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
• Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development
• Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works
• Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
• Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services
• Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
• Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments:

• Attachment 1: Road Closure Bylaw No. 2246, 2026 (a portion of Aldwynd Road)
• Attachment 2: EPP149819 - Road Closure Plan