Playfair is a well hidden, yet easily accessible park within Saanich. It is home to beautifully landscaped gardens, most notably a dense, walkable maze of azaleas and rhododendrons that comes to life in with an explosion of all colours in the spring.

Planting of the gardens began in the 1950s, with species and hybrids of rhododendrons, azaleas, and scores of other plants being donated by nurseries and arboretums. The park also has a playground, benches, paved or gravel walkways, and is a popular destination for dog walkers.

In addition to its modified landscape, the park also boasts rocky Garry oak outcroppings, as well as a large Garry oak meadow which was recently restored by a Saanich group called the Garry Oak Restoration Project, which is no longer active.

Playfair Park is accessible to walkers/cyclists via Judge Place, Cumberland Road, Rock Street, and Glenora Place. Parking is available off of Rock St or at the end of Cumberland Road.

For more recent opportunities on how you can become involved in the restoration of Garry Oak Ecosystems, visit the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team's website.

References

• District of Saanich: Parks and Recreation. (2012). Playfair Park. Retrieved on January 13, 2015 from: http://www.saanich.ca/parkrec/parks/operations/playfair.html