Residents in Colwood, British Columbia, have until the end of April 2026 to share their feedback on a proposal to create a new national urban park near the historic Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse.
The City of Colwood is hosting an online survey through the Let’s Talk Colwood platform to gather community priorities for the potential project. The initiative is part of a federal program led by Parks Canada, which has set a goal to establish 15 such parks across the country by 2030.
Potential lands identified for the project include the area around the historic lighthouse site, as well as several municipal properties such as the Coburg Peninsula along Esquimalt Lagoon, Perimeter Park, Lagoon West Park, and Matilda Park. The site is located within the Coastal Douglas Fir zone, which is considered one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada.
The planning process operates under an Indigenous walking-together framework involving four local First Nations: the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation, the Sc’ianew Nation, the Songhees Nation, and the T’Sou-ke Nation. The federal program aims to focus on three core objectives: conserving nature, connecting people with the environment, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi has expressed support for the project, noting that it highlights the benefits of collaboration between local, provincial, and federal governments, as well as First Nations. He also indicated that the park could provide regional economic benefits through sustainable tourism.
While the project is moving forward, complexities remain regarding land in the region. In March 2026, the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation filed a civil claim in the British Columbia Supreme Court to oppose the transfer of Hatley Park to the Songhees Nation for a treaty settlement, which could have implications for broader reconciliation efforts locally.
