The Town of View Royal has used funds collected from development levies to purchase a piece of rural property in the Watkiss Way/Helmcken Road area.
The town paid $750,000 to acquire the 1.78-hectare lot at 1642 Little Rd. from the longtime owners.
It paid for the land from an account made up of contributions for public amenities, known as development cost charges, made by property developers when council approves a rezoning for a development.
“We are very excited for the community on the acquisition of this piece of property,” said Sarah Jones, the town’s director of corporate administration. “It was an opportunity to get a larger piece of land with funds earmarked for the purpose.”
She said the municipality has no concrete plans for the “pastoral” property, which is in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
“While we don’t have a plan in place for this new green space, when we do get there, we will be sure to include the community in the process.”
The rectangular piece of agricultural property is bordered on the west and south by Eagle Creek Village, with a section adjacent to Eagle Creek Park, which is 1.58 hectares.
View Royal, with a population of 10,800 residents, boasts 630 hectares of parks and open space. The number includes some regional park space, with portions of Mill Hill Regional Park and Thetis Lake Regional Park.
The parcel of land on Little Road currently has no public access and no trails.
Kyle Murai was walking Bob, an Australian Shepherd, in Eagle Creek Park on Friday and expressed surprise upon hearing of the acquisition.
“Right now, people around here are upset because the municipality plans to close a nearby dog park and they turn around and spend $750,000 to acquire more land?” said Murai, who lives in an apartment complex overlooking the park. “While I support more green space in general, much depends on what they plan to do with it.”
