The Town of View Royal has landed an $85,000 federal grant to create a new master plan for its parks and trails, a move expected to guide improvements and protect natural areas as the community grows. Announced on July 30, 2026, the funding comes from the Build Communities Strong Fund Community stream, administered through the Strategic Priorities Fund.
“This $85,000 grant will help View Royal develop a Parks and Trails Master Plan that protects the natural spaces our residents cherish while planning thoughtfully for the future,” said Mayor Sid Tobias. The updated plan will guide future investments in parks, trails, and shoreline access, focusing on improving accessibility, protecting natural areas, and enhancing recreational opportunities for the roughly 11,600 residents.
The town, located six kilometers west of Victoria, is home to over 700 hectares of parkland, including areas within Thetis Lake Regional Park. According to its 2026 budget, the town maintains 70 parks and 49 kilometers of trails. The new plan will reflect recent growth and address parkland the town has acquired near intensive development areas, helping determine appropriate uses while preserving the small-town character residents value.
The grant is part of a larger federal investment of more than $152 million supporting 54 community infrastructure projects across British Columbia. Announced jointly by federal, provincial, and Union of BC Municipalities officials, the funding stream provides $2.5 billion per year to communities across Canada, with B.C. receiving over $326 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Mayor Tobias, elected in 2022, announced in October 2025 that he will not seek re-election this fall. The Parks and Trails Master Plan is expected to be a defining initiative of his term, with the town’s previous parks plan dating back to 2017 and a draft update in 2020. The updated document will set the course for future park and trail enhancements that residents can expect to see in the years ahead.
