It was a hard decision for Paul Bourke of Victoria to make, selling land he has owned for 40 years to the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
“We used it for recreation — I never cut down a tree or branch of a tree,” Bourke, 67, said Sunday.
The 15.7-hectare piece of land has been added to Stoney Hill Regional Park, which overlooks Sansum Narrows near Duncan.
The significant parcel was purchased from Bourke and his family for $925,000.
Cowichan Valley Regional District chairman Rob Hutchins acknowledged the family’s desire to have the land become part of the park.
“This land acquisition provides a key extension to the protection of the bluffs above Sansum Narrows, preserving dramatic viewscapes and a place of special significance to many within the Cowichan Valley,” Hutchins said in a statement.
There are fantastic views from the high point, 220 metres above sea level, Bourke said.
He bought it for an investment, a retirement project. The land is surrounded by a vast area of undeveloped land. There’s no road access, but it’s hoped that area landowners will work with the municipality to have a road built.
There are views of Saltspring Island, Saanich Inlet and Samsun Narrows.
Bourke said he sold the land to the CVRD because it was time to let it go.
“You got to downsize,” he said. “Everything’s got to go sooner or later. It will be in good hands.”
The parcel is adjacent to a 51.6-hectare area acquired in 2011 by the CVRD. Together, the two properties form the “cornerstone” of the CVRD’s vision for the park.
