by Doreen M. Gee

I can still feel the golden sun on my back and hear the trees whistling as I lay beside the pool at Beacon Hill Park. Those heady glorious days of childhood are with me forever. Racing through green fields, watching birds etched against a red sky at sunset, smelling the ocean breeze from the Checkerboard House - those memories of Beacon Hill Park run through my veins and warm my soul. The 125th birthday party for Beacon Hill Park on June 16 and 17, 2007 was more to me than a mere anniversary. It was a celebration of a natural wonder, of this jewel in our midst. As I walk through the park fifty years later, it looks much the same as when I was a child. The park has that same allure and timeless beauty that enchants young and old.

Saturday, June 16, was a warm summer day - perfect for a party. The celebration drew a large joyous crowd of people. Representatives of all political stripes were there including Mayor Lowe, Pamela Madoff, Denise Savoie, and Ida Chong. Chief Andy Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation and Elder Elmer George of the Songhees Nation were there to remind us of who were the first park inhabitants. In his official welcome, Mayor Lowe gave a talk in the Cameron Band Shell about rich memories of how the park enthralled him as a child. He talked of the fascinating history of Beacon Hill Park going back to 1889, when the Scottish landscape architect, John Blair, designed the park in an English Landscape Style of rolling hills, flower beds and winding paths. Mayor Lowe brought up the challenge of protecting the park within the guidelines of the Park Trust so that it remains "our park". First Nations artist, Bradley Dick gave us the aboriginal history of Beacon Hill Park, the traditional lands of the Lekwungen Tribe. As he spoke, I could almost see them harvesting Camas and playing their form of lacrosse on the hill.

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" as they cut the huge cake commemorating this special event. (for the record, I had three pieces.) It was also an occasion to launch the City's new Wayfinding map of Beacon Hill Park and give out Keepsake Anniversary Buttons.

Finally, there was a ceremony at Mayor's Grove, where three Garry oak trees were planted to honour the anniversary of the park. On the stroll there I spoke with Pamela Madoff, City Councillor. She said that the Park Trust is "the conscience of council" and it is so important to have that Trust to "keep the park the way it is." The trees symbolized movement into the future. As Chief Andy Thomas planted a tree in Mayor's Grove, he said that the trees "mark this day when we all need to work together as one into the future when our kids grow old together." When I asked Mayor Lowe what Beacon Hill Park meant to him, he said that it was all about "future generations enjoying the park and that we need to ensure that the park is for all the people."

In the meantime, the Victoria High School Band got everyone clapping with songs like "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder. The next day, Sunday, June 17, was dedicated to musical and dancing entertainment at the Cameron Band Shell with the rollicking Mairead O' Brien Irish Dancers and the beautiful gospel harmony of The Joy of Life Choir, amongst others.

The party was a fitting tribute to this natural oasis that has been thrilling visitors for over a hundred years. All those images - the breeze moving the golden grass at dusk, flowing verdant fields, shining flowers - are our proud heritage. Mayor Lowe saw the weekend as a chance to "showcase this jewel in our park system." And like all gems, this one needs to stay polished.