John Dean Provincial Park

Vancouver Island - British Columbia

This park on the Saanich Peninsula north of Victoria contains handsome stands of old growth cedar, hemlock, Gary oak and Douglas fir; these characterize the majestic atmosphere of Lauwelnew (Mount Newton).

            Access is from the Patricia Bay Highway #17; then west via McTavish Road. From there, turn south onto the East Saanich Road, then west on Dean Park Road, onto Mount Newton, and into B.C.’s first donated provincial park!

Hello friends,

My name is Jarrett Thomas Teague CD, the Keeper of Illahie. In 1921, Victoria pioneer John Dean donated 4/5’s of his 100-acre section to the crown. This gift became the first donated park in British Columbia. John Dean retained his cabin property Illahie (20 acres) for personal use, with the plan of also adding it to the park after his death.

            Between 1936 and 1939 the B.C. Forest Service developed the main trail system, installed facilities and the access road. In 1939, Abraham Collins donated 2.76 acres for a summit camp ground. In 1943, the government expropriated two small radar sites for war measures. In 1957, the park was transferred from the Forest Service to the newly established B.C. Parks. This inspired Ruth Woodward, Sydney Pickles and Barret Montfort to donate for addition, a combined 258.6 acres. In 1962 and 1989, the crown added 86 acres. Today this amazing park measures 455.81 acres, encompassing the summit of Mount Newton / Lauwelnew: The high area between North and Central Saanich, British Columbia.