LAYRITZ PARK

Layritz Park

Layritz Park is located in a beautiful rural area of Saanich area near the Vancouver Island Tech Park. This 29 hectare park is perhaps best known for its sports interests, which includes 7 ball diamonds, a soccer field with an artificial surface, and a 9 hole disc golf course. However, it also includes some beautiful natural areas with Garry oak forests, stands of Douglas fir and in the spring, gorgeous displays of wildflowers.

The soccer pitch

One of the 7 ball diamonds

Trails

There are quite a few trails meandering through the park making for some excellent exploration. There is a paved bike/walking path leading from the end of Mann Rd which runs right through the park to the VITP and Camosun College. There are packed gravel trails leading around and through a Garry Oak Meadow which are relatively level making for easy walking. There are also a few single track trails leading around and off Layritz Hill which can be fun to explore for the more adventurous.

Waking the Layritz Park trails

For for something slightly more challenging, the trail to the summit of Layritz Hill (elevation 52 m) will take you to a couple of viewpoints, one with wonderful views west to the Sooke Foothills and the second, at the very summit, has views east and northeast at Mount Doug and Mount Tolmie and southeast towards downtown Victoria.

The trail to the summit of Layritz Hill

View of Victoria & the Olympic Peninsula from Layritz Hill Summit

View west towards Sooke Foothills from Layritz Hill

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

If you want to extend your walk, the Layritz Park trails also connect to the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific lands on the other side of Markham Rd which lead down through fields and forest to a large pond where there you can find lots of waterfowl. You can follow these trails in a large loop which will lead you back through the VITP and then back to Layritz Park. This is a particularly spectacular walk in the spring as there is an old farm field of daffodils that blooms just above the pond!

The Horticultural Centre of the Pacific lands & pond

Daffodil field on the HCP Lands

Playground

The trails at Layritz make for some great exploration and exercise, but there is also a wonderful playground for the kids with a large climbing net, bouldering rocks, swings and a separate structure for the younger 2 to 5 year old children. You will also find picnic tables here, a great place to sit and have lunch and let the kids play!

Climbing net at the playground

Climbing rocks at the playground

Access & Parking

There are two parking areas you can use to access Layritz Park. The main parking lot is off Layritz Ave and has more than100 parking stalls, including dedicated accessible parking spots and a drop off/pick up zone. Parking here is free.

You can also park at the VITP off Markham Rd. Parking. You will have to pay to park at the VITP during weekdays but it is free after 5:30 pm on weekdays until 10 pm and from 7 am to 10 pm on weekends and statutory holidays.

Washrooms

There are public washrooms in the lower level of the building near the artificial turf soccer field.

Dogs & Horses

Dogs are allowed in the park but must be under control, and must be on a leash within 10 m of the playground. They are not allowed on the sports fields. Please pick up after your pet.

Horses are allowed on the trails except where posted.

Cycling

Cycling is permitted throughout the park, but keep in mind that these are shared trails so control your speed and warn others before you pass.

Park Etiquette

There can be a lot of mixed pedestrian and cycle activity throughout Layritz Park. This is not just from park users but a lot of people commute on foot and bicycle to Camosun College and the VITP using the trails through the park. It can be especially busy when there are sporting events on the go.

Remember, cyclists must yield to pedestrians and horses and pedestrians must yield to horses. It is particularly important to respect horses as they may spook easily.

Keep right except to pass and please stay on the trails.

A more recent path around an area of Garry Oak meadow restoration

Getting There