News release

For immediate release

Saanich Parks celebrates National Tree Day with opening of Tinker Town

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich will celebrate National Tree Day today with the opening of a new outdoor nature play area in Mount Douglas Park called Tinker Town.

Tinker Town, located north of the beach parking area, was named by the students who frequent the area. The site is set up to provide a natural play and learning area for school groups. Tinker Town will encourage children to enjoy unstructured play and improve their understanding, personal connection and appreciation for nature. The site was already impacted and did not have much underbrush growing. Logs were added for seating to provide a small outdoor classroom.

Saanich staff will plant 17 large native trees in the areas surrounding Tinker Town to promote tree planting and park restoration as part of the celebration.

“National Tree Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the importance of nature in our community,” said Mayor Fred Haynes. “It’s crucial for us to plant trees now to grow our urban canopy so that it flourishes for future generations. Children will also expand their Natural Intelligence by learning and exploring in nature at our new Tinker Town.”

Saanich staff plant more than 1,000 caliper-sized trees on public lands every year between November and March. Earlier this year, Saanich also provided more than 1,000 free native tree seedlings to residents during the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. Throughout 2019 and 2020, Saanich Parks and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will plant thousands more tree seedlings along with 600 caliper-sized trees in Cuthbert Holmes Park as part of the habitat restoration program through the Mckenzie Interchange Project.

Tinker Town is a key element of Saanich Parks’ Natural Intelligence initiative, which aims to build on residents’ knowledge of nature, parks and the environment.

Learn more

Take Saanich’s Natural Intelligence survey and learn more about Tinker Town at Saanich.ca.

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Media contacts:
Eva Riccius
Senior Manager Parks
eva.riccius@saanich.ca
250-475-5523 

Andrew Burger
Manager of Park Operations
andrew.burger@saanich.ca
250-475-5541