Restoration at Esquimalt Gorge Park
The Esquimalt Gorge Park Green Shores Demonstration Site (GSDS) is an exciting new project that aims to restore and enhance the natural shoreline habitat along the Gorge Waterway. The GSDS is a unique and innovative project that uses green infrastructure solutions to address the impacts of climate change, such as erosion and flooding, while also improving the health of the local ecosystem. The project will remove and regrade the hardened estuarine shoreline and create a more natural shoreline to protect against erosion, enhance salt marsh habitat, and naturalize upland riparian areas.
These features will not only improve the resilience of the shoreline to climate change impacts but also provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife. The project is in a preconstruction phase at the moment. Staff are currently working on attaining the correct permits from various levels of government. As part of the work, the existing swing set will be moved away from the shore and a new one placed on the opposite side of the playground.
Construction of the Gorge Park Green Shores
Demonstration site is expected to begin in September 2023, subject to permitting approvals. The project is an important step forward in the ongoing effort to restore and protect the shoreline of the Gorge Waterway.
This project is a collaboration between the Township of Esquimalt, the Stewardship Centre for BC, Capital Regional District and the Pacific Salmon Foundation. It is being implemented through a project called Resilient Coasts for Salmon. Funding for the project is provided by the Provincial Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, the Township of
Esquimalt, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Capital Regional District. The collaborative effort of the funding partners and the innovative green infrastructure solutions being used make this project an exciting model for other shoreline restoration projects in Canada and beyond.
Look for new signs along the waterway to learn about the native species and significant work being done to the shoreline.
The Township of Esquimalt acknowledges with respect that we are within the Traditional Territories of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations.