Goldstream Provincial Park

Goldstream Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is known for the annual fall salmon runs in the Goldstream River, and the large numbers of bald eagles that congregate to feed at that time. The total size of the park is 3.79 km2 (937 acres). It is located in the city of Langford, British Columbia.[1] Recreational fishing is only accessible to indigenous cultures, and not local non-indigenous residents.

Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park

Huge trees stand on the Goldstream River floodplain. Among them are Douglas-fir and western red cedar up to 600 years old. They tower over substantial specimens of western hemlock, black cottonwood, bigleaf maple and red alder, which in turn shade western yew. Steep ridges—home to arbutus, western flowering dogwood and lodgepole pine—overlook the floodplain. Many wildflowers are seen during spring and summer.

Goldstream Park has several hiking trails, one of which offers access to Mount Finlayson.

Goldstream Nature House

Goldstream Nature House is a nature centre located in the park and operated by RLC Enterprize. The centre features natural history displays and offers seasonal environmental education programs for school groups and the general public.


Railway trestle
Railway trestle at Goldstream

There is a railway trestle bordering the park on the west side of the highway. The trestle is clearly indicated on the park map past the westernmost tip of the 'Gold Mine Trail'. From the route there are views of Mount Finlayson to the east; however, the trestle itself is part of the E & N Railway, an inactive rail line. While the trestle is noted on the map, it is not considered a part of the park's official trail system. The Goldstream Trestle is private property although there are no signs, the railway and its structures (trestles and tunnels) are not to be accessed by anyone other than SVI or ICF Personnel. Anyone other than SVI or ICF Personnel who is actively accessing the trestles or any railway property is Trespassing under the Railway Safety Act.[2]

Although labelled as the "Goldstream Trestle" on the park map, it is actually a cantilever style bridge, not a trestle. The Goldstream Trestle is a popular attraction in the Greater Victoria area for those looking to enjoy the captivating scenery and refreshing scents of nature. Still the trestle, train tracks and the train tunnel are private property and are not to be climbed upon by park users.

Gold rush
Entrance to mine

In 1863, rumours of gold in Goldstream drove a short, but intense, gold rush in the region.[3] The remnants of the gold rush can be seen in the abandoned mine entrances located along the park's hiking trails.

See also

References
  1. "Goldstream Park". BC Geographical Names.
  2. "Distraught male on Goldstream park trestle safe". Goldstream News Gazette. Aug 20, 2014.
  3. "The golden rule of Goldstream: There is no gold". Goldstream News Gazette. Apr 26, 2012.

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