With that summer heat comes great responsibility.
To help ensure the region’s parks and beaches remain a pleasant space for everyone to enjoy, Capital Regional District bylaw enforcement officers will be out again this summer.
On hot, sunny days, patrols will be dispatched to popular beaches and swimming areas including Thetis Lake, Witty’s Lagoon, Matheson Lake, Sooke Potholes, Mount Work (Durrance Lake), Elk/Beaver Lake and Island View Beach. Bike patrols will also be on the Galloping Goose, E&N Rail and Lochside trails.
“Regional parks and trails receive more than 6.5 million visits each year and the majority of people are respectful of others and the natural areas. We appreciate the public’s assistance in keeping our parks safe and clean,” Mike Walton, senior manager of CRD regional parks, said in a release.
“The CRD also works closely with RCMP detachments and other agencies to increase the enforcement presence in regional parks … this strategy has helped to reduce bylaw violations and alcohol use in regional parks.”
West Shore RCMP will also be working on occasion with CRD bylaw officers this summer, focusing their efforts on local parks and Thetis Lake. Patrols will target the most problematic areas where the local detachment receives the most calls for service.
Heading into the summer months, the CRD reminds residents that smoking, alcohol and fires are prohibited in regional parks.
From now until Sept. 15, all dogs must be on a leash when passing through designated beach and picnic areas. Dogs are not allowed to remain in these areas.
The CRD is also asking residents to report any violations to its regional parks department at 250-478-3344 or by emailing crdparks@crd.bc.ca. For serious incidents and emergencies, residents are asked to call 911.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com