A critical shortage of volunteers is putting the future of Dominion Brook Park in North Saanich at risk. The park, an 11-acre historic green space, has relied on a small but dedicated group of volunteers. But as summer growth peaks, the need for more hands has become urgent.
The Friends of Dominion Brook Park Society, the group in charge of the park’s upkeep, has issued a call for more community members to step in. With just around 11 active volunteers, the group is struggling to keep up with basic tasks like pruning, weeding, watering, and planting.
Nancy Johnson, the society’s president, said the situation is dire. Recently, only one volunteer showed up on a scheduled workday.
“Volunteers are told not to work alone for safety reasons,” she explained. “So that one person had to leave without doing anything.”
Johnson and her husband later returned with a new volunteer to water plants, but she said the work is simply too much for a few people.
“This is our busiest time of the year. Plants are growing fast, and we only work from March to October. We need more help now,” she stressed.
The society is hoping to find at least 12 to 20 new volunteers. A key need is someone with strong plant knowledge who can guide the team during the weekly Wednesday morning shifts. The role would involve supervising the group from 9 a.m. to noon and giving clear care instructions for the park’s many plant species.
“They don’t need to be a botanist,” said Johnson. “But we need someone who knows when to prune and how to care for different plants.”
Dominion Brook Park is not just a local green space—it’s a piece of Canadian history. Created in 1912 by the Canadian Department of Agriculture, it was designed as a public arboretum and ornamental garden.
Plants were brought in from top nurseries around the world. Today, rare conifers, rhododendrons, and other species from countries like Japan, Germany, and France still grow throughout the park.
Since 2001, the Friends of Dominion Brook Park Society has worked hard to restore and care for this living legacy. Over the years, volunteers have put in more than 10,000 hours of work. They have received help from the District of North Saanich and the Centre for Plant Health, formerly known as the Dominion Experimental Farm.
Johnson worries that if more volunteers don’t step in soon, the park may fall back into neglect. That was its condition 26 years ago when the federal government left it unattended. Back then, invasive ivy and fast-growing weeds were taking over, nearly hiding the park’s unique charm.
“This park is a hidden gem of the Saanich Peninsula,” said Johnson. “It took years of work to bring it back. It would be heartbreaking to lose that progress.”
Despite the ongoing challenges, the society remains active in improving the visitor experience. New interpretive signs are being added around the park to teach people about its environment, heritage, and beauty.
Johnson remains hopeful. She believes that with new volunteers, the park can continue to thrive. The peaceful landscape—with its mix of open glades, forested dells, stone ponds, and the flowing Dominion Brook—offers not just beauty, but a connection to nature and history.
For those who enjoy gardening or simply spending time outdoors, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Helping preserve Dominion Brook Park means protecting one of the most beautiful and historic green spaces in the region.
