Brooks Point Regional Park

Just received another press release from Laurie Sthamann  at the Capitol Regional District Parks branch. It's good news -- through a lot of hard work and generosity by several people and groups, CRD Parks has been able to afford the costs associated with adding land to Brooks Point Regional Park on Pender Island! Kayakers rejoice at oceanfront park land!


Media Release
For Immediate Release
March 18, 2013

CRD Partners with Pender Community on Lands for Brooks Point Regional Park

Victoria, BC - The Capital Regional District is entering into a contribution agreement with the Pender Islands Conservancy Association (PICA) to retain and protect a parcel of land at Brooks Point Regional Park.
In 2010, the CRD purchased 1.17 hectares of land to complete Brooks Point Regional Park on South Pender Island. The CRD borrowed $1,650,000 to purchase the land, and has been working with the Pender community to explore options to recover all or a portion of the net purchase cost of the property.
“The CRD is now able to retain the entire parcel thanks to the fundraising efforts of PICA, and others such as The Land Conservancy of BC, Poets Cove Resort and
Purdy’s Chocolates,” said CRD Regional Parks Committee Chair Susan Brice. “This parcel of land has been high on the CRD Regional Parks’ priority list to join two park segments separated by private property.”

"PICA's commitment to raise $150,000 with support from conservation partners, in addition to the $152,000 raised to date with strong community support, ensures that Brooks Point Regional Park will be saved in its entirety for future generations," said Monica Petrie, co-chair PICA Brooks Point Completion Committee.
"I am particularly proud of the effort that PICA and the Pender community have put into this effort to conserve Brooks Point,” said Director Dave Howe, Electoral Area Director for the Southern Gulf Islands. “This project exemplifies a strong community relationship between the non-profits and for profits on the island.”

The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) is contributing funds over four years to the CRD to pay for the $124,550 in interest costs that the CRD incurs in borrowing funds to acquire land. Through their Chocolate Lily Package, Poets Cove Resort along with Purdy’s Chocolate raised $20,000 towards the acquisition.
The CRD, TLC, Pender community, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Habitat Acquisition Trust and Islands Trust Funds participated in a fundraising campaign to purchase the original 4.8 hectares, including Gowlland Point, in 1998 and 2000. The Brooks family also donated a parcel of land valued at $225,000.

Brooks Point Regional Park is an oceanfront park featuring an intertidal rocky shore and beach, meadows with exceptional displays of Chocolate Lilies and commanding views of Boundary Pass and the San Juan Islands. It contains nationally endangered Sharp- tailed Snakes and rare ecosystems including a small Garry Oak stand, coastal grasslands and coastal bluffs.

For further information, please contact:
Laurie Sthamann, Communications Coordinator
CRD Regional Parks
Tel: 250.360.3332 | cell: 250.889.8030
lsthamann@crd.bc.ca
www.crd.bc.ca/parks