Accessibility is about creating communities and offering services that allow everyone to take part without barriers. Regional parks and trails are a public good that belong to everyone, and providing equitable access is a priority for the Capital Regional District (CRD).
The CRD is committed to ensuring that all visitors are able to experience the natural environment of regional parks and trails. Accessibility and equity will continue to be key considerations as we improve and replace park infrastructure.
Accessibility standards developed and applied at the federal and provincial levels will inform regional efforts to improve accessibility over the next decade, as identified through the CRD Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan [PDF/97MB]. One of its stated priorities is to:
"Enhance health and well-being by providing equitable access to regional parks and regional trails."
In-Depth Park Accessibility Information
Detailed accessibility information, including images, surface, and facility descriptions, is currently available on park-specific pages for:
- Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
- Francis/King Regional Park
- Island View Beach Regional Park
- Thetis Lake Regional Park
Other Park Accessibility Highlights
MobilityMats
MobilityMats or mobi mats are firm roll-out beach access mats that create safe, accessible beach access walkways over soft sand surfaces. Year round mobi mats are in place at Thetis Lake Main Beach and Hamsterly Beach in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. A seasonal mobi mat is in place at Island View Beach Regional Park from approximately May-October as beach and weather conditions permit.
East Sooke Regional Park
- Aylard Farm Picnic Area
Enjoy west coast wilderness scenery from a picnic shelter overlooking a sandy beach. The accessible trail connects the parking lot with the shelter and toilet facilities. A trail with a steeper grade provides access to the beach.
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
- Beaver Beach
This popular swimming area features an accessible parking area, paved trails and accessible toilets. - Brookleigh Boat Launch
The boat launch provides visitors of all abilities with easy and safe access to their boats. The toilet facility is also accessible. - Elk Lake Float
Cast your line from this accessible ramp and fishing float. The parking area and toilet facility are also accessible. - Hamsterly Beach
The playground at Hamsterly Beach enables children in wheelchairs to move up a ramp into the centre of the playground structure to enjoy some of its options. Other accessible features include a mobi mat on the beach, a drinking fountain, flush toilets and picnic tables. - 10 Kilometre Trail
The trail is mostly flat and level, with some narrow and uneven sections on the east side of Elk Lake.
Francis/King Regional Park
- The Elsie King Interpretive Trail offers a unique self-guided interpretive trail through a forest environment. The trail is wide enough for visitors in wheelchairs or scooters to travel side by side. Most of the trail surface is hard-packed gravel, with boardwalk sections in areas of environmental sensitivity. Changes in trail surface material provide tactile information for visitors with visual impairments, letting them know when they are approaching rest areas. The Nature Centre and toilet facility are also accessible.
Island View Beach Regional Park
- Enjoy a group picnic shelter with ocean views, a seasonal mobi mat, and accessible toilet facilities.
Mount Work Regional Park
- Enjoy an accessible loop trail through a medley of evergreens and rich understory of native shrubs, ferns, mosses and woodland flowers at the Munn Road entrance to Mount Work.
- A trail and fishing dock at Durrance Lake is accessible for youth, seniors and anglers with disabilities. The dock construction, made possible under the Province's Urban Lakes Infrastructure Project, also includes aluminum walkways and railings for increased safety.
Thetis Lake Regional Park
- There is an accessible trail and mobi mat on the main beach at Thetis Lake Regional Park.
