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| COMMUNITY EVENTS | 💐 Spring break schedule is in effect through April 1. Check out the selected camps and scheduled events in the Oak Bay recreation flyer. | 🌿 Friends of Uplands Park’s No Ivy League will continue every Sunday through March, from 1-3pm where volunteers are sought to help weed out invasive species. The group meets at the Beach Drive field near the Cattle Point Entrance. | 🌱 How Native Plants Restore Biodiversity. Oak Bay Coolkit program will host a free community talk on Tuesday, March 26 at 7pm at the Windsor Pavilion. Participants will learn about the importance of native plants. |
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| | COMMUNITY NEWS | 👮♀️ Oak Bay names Julie Chanin first female Deputy Chief. Chanin is the first female deputy chief in Greater Victoria, and has 24+ years of policing experience, including 13 years with Oak Bay Police. She will assume the role June 1, taking over from Mark Fisher who will be stepping down a year and a half after taking the position. [District of Oak Bay] | 🥳 Oak Bay philanthropist John Hillman celebrates 105th birthday. Hillman has raised roughly $500K for Save the Children, which supports youth living in the most dangerous places. Starting on his 101st birthday and continuing each year through his 102nd, 103rd, and 104th, Hillman walked his age in laps around the Carlton House courtyard, gaining widespread support throughout the community. Hillman will step back from his campaign this year, however his fundraising page will remain open indefinitely. [Save The Children] | ⚓️ Derelict boat removed from Oak Bay this week. Check out the pictures documenting the removal process by Victoria Tug & Barge and Salish Sea Industrial. [Oak Bay Local] | 🐕 Incident at Willows last week with off-leash dog highlights need for more signage, enforcement in off-leash restricted areas. Despite ongoing discussions and debate, many community members say they are still unclear about the rules regarding the Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which comprises most of the shoreline. [Times Colonist] | Do you feel there is a need for off-leash areas where dogs can run | | | P.S. Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here. |
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| | PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT | To join the conversation, become a member of the Oak Bay Local Facebook Group | Off-leash dog euthanized after attack at Willows | Oak Bay locals have been discussing a heartbreaking incident that took place last week at Willows Beach, reported in the Oak Bay Local newsletter. A 10-year-old chihuahua mix, Champ, was fatally injured by an off-leash dog. Since last week, the owner of the off-leash dog who attacked Champ came forward and has since euthanized their dog as well. | Even after the sad incident, for all involved, some dog owners remain resistant to leashing their dogs at Willows and other open areas, and insist that there is a need for off-leash spaces to run their dogs. Crowded areas can be a cause of stress which some said points to a need for more open spaces where dogs are permitted to run. Others said that there is a problem with signage at Willows, with some saying they were not aware that the area does not permit off-leash dogs. | Other commenters suggested that the real problem is a lack of awareness that can happen when an owner is distracted, by being on the phone for example. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of off-leash areas, the overall consensus among the 75 comments and counting, was that this was a tragedy for all involved and shouldn’t happen again. | |
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| | | Airbnbs in Oak Bay? | One local reached out to the group, wondering whether the Oak Bay rules will allow them to post their small suite on Airbnb. There were over 100 comments discussing the issue, with a lot of helpful information for anyone who may be considering doing the same. Oak Bay is facing shortages on housing, and is grappling with new provincial rules that will require the creation of new affordable spaces in the community. | One of the Oak Bay Council’s key priorities for the 2022-2026 term is housing and to enable the creation of more diverse and affordable housing. Anyone considering a short-term rental may do better for the community if they consider looking into long-term housing, and whether that could work for their family and living space. Do you have experience with short-term rentals or Airbnbs? | |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | Camas are nearly here | New shoots of camas are about to come into bloom. This plant is both beautiful and a valuable food source for Indigenous Peoples in the region. Camas is traditionally harvested during PENÁW̱EṈ-MOON OF CAMAS HARVEST in May. Learn more on the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council website. | The Quadra Hill Community Association asked the community (and their dogs) to help protect camas in parks in neighbourhoods by staying on the trail when they are in bloom. | |
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| | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK | | After one rare bird sighting, a Summer Tanager, was reported around Swartz Bay, one local wondered whether anyone has spotted one in and around Oak Bay as well? |
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