Here’s the link to the 1st / 2017 Friends website:
https://www.friendsofjohndeanpark.org
The Friends of John Dean Park wish to revitalise, and are seeking new volunteers to contribute towards the necessary workload throughout the park.
As a long-time park volunteer and former leader of the Friends, my current role is to support and encourage the Friends. If you are interested, please join, donate and/or assist as you can.
Established in 1984
$10 annual / $100 lifetime membership provides: brochures, colour maps, newsletters, invites and the following opportunities:
access to information
an avenue to report concerns
invites to nature & history tours
interpretative guide experience
designing interpretative signage
trail monitoring experience
encourage community awareness
to hand the park on to the next generation in a better condition
Established with the purpose of handing the park onto the next generation, in a better condition than was received.
PURPOSE (2007-current)
To protect the integrity and undisturbed natural environment of the park property, consistent with compatible public recreation and educational activities;
To speak on behalf of the park and its heritage; and to ensure that it retains in perpetuity its status as a Class A provincial park; and
To foster public awareness of an interest in the park, and to acquaint members and visitors with its resources – its flora, fauna, geology and history.
To assist park authorities in the exercise of their responsibilities, such as cleanliness and maintenance of trails and other facilities; previously #3, was removed at the December 11, 2007, AGM.
Between 1984 and 2001 (18 years), the Friends of John Dean were significantly involved. Having secured Class A protection, quality trails, and a cleaned-up park – the Friends stepped back in 2001; Jarrett continued with BC Parks. In 2003 a full-stop volunteering was decided upon; in 2007 the constitution was amended to reinforce the position.
I believe it’s important to acknowledge the vital achievements of the early Friends; to enlighten residents and park visitors to possible pressures. The below list is presented to complement those involved and to warn future generations of what could come…
1985-94: Capital Regional District (CRD) made several attempts to construct a water reservoir within the park. The Friendssought community and political support, resisted the proposed park sites and negotiated its placement within a right-of-way. The 1992 agreement resulted in the right-of-way receiving protection by its stop-closure (transacting 3.45 acres from Road to Class A park), and prevented the precedence of building within a Class A park
1986: Ministry of Transport (MOT) realigned the summit access road in preparation for the building of the airport radar tower. The Friends monitored activity,reported concerns and saved 3 huge Douglas firs
1990-91: MOT notified BC Parks that the summit trees were interfering with the radars line-of-sight to Victoria and Vancouver airports. BC Parks and the Friends resisted, however public safety was the over-ruling priority. Through the Supreme Court of BC, a compromise was made to top the trees, vice the full cut
1989: To save the area between the parks west line and Alec Road from development, the Friendssought community support by writing letters and launched a petition. On August 10, 1989, 66.9 acres was transferred from Crown Recreation to Class A park; park was registered as one title
1992-94: Reservoir site negotiations achieved placement within Gazette 40, Thomson right-of-way, the remainder within North and Central Saanich was stopped-closed. On May 24, 1994 by order in council, an area of 3.45 acres was protected by its transfer from Road to Class A park
1992-99: John Dean Park was evaluated as not meeting the criteria of significance required to remain a provincial. Its transfer from province to region was proposed and negotiated. Inspired by John Dean’s Conditions of Trust, Park Act, First Nations, donor descendants, and the community; Friends opposed the transfer and presented a rational why John Dean Park should remain with BC Parks, managed by the Park Act
Engender awareness and respect for the sacred mountain
Group nature tours
Group history tours of Illahie & early development
Group tours of the summit, survey mount & facilities
Hosting school programs
Hosting Scouting programs
The Friends annual general meetings are held in April.
Friends of John Dean Park Society
PO Box 13
Saanichton, BC V8M2C5 www.friendsofjohndeanpark.org
PAST PRESIDENTS
1
Edo Nyland
79 mths
10 May 1984
11 Dec 1990
2
Ted Greenwood
9 mths
11 Dec 1990
06 Sep 1991
3
Jarrett Teague
14 mths
06 Sep 1991
27 Oct 1992
4
Dieter Weichert
12 mths
27 Oct 1992
10 Nov 1993
5
Wally du Temple
14 mths
10 Nov 1993
17 Jan 1995
6
Cy Hampson
10 mths
17 Jan 1995
08 Nov 1995
7
Bryce Kendrick
12 mths
08 Nov 1995
30 Oct 1996
8-2
Edo Nyland
49 mths (128)
30 Oct 1996
22 Nov 2000
9
Tony Whittall
88 mths
22 Nov 2000
03 Apr 2008
10-2
Bryce Kendrick
36 mths (48)
03 Apr 2008
14 Apr 2011
11
Margaret Reeve
25 mths
14 Apr 2011
01 Jun 2013
12
Maureen Dale
01 Jun 2013
Current
MAJOR VOLUNTEERS
Over the past 30 years, hundreds of people have supported the Friends and the park. I would like to especially thank the dedicated folks listed below – who have generated & contributed greatly!
Generation A
Building
1984-1988
Generation B
Restoration
1989-1999
Generation C
Monitoring
2000-2012
Generation D
Interpretive
2013-2023
Edo Nyland
Edo Nyland
Edo Nyland
Edo Nyland
Elizabeth Nyland
Elizabeth Nyland
Tony Whittall
Maureen Dale
Noreen Teague
Jarrett Teague
Jarrett Teague
Jarrett Teague
Mary Martin
Bryce Kendrick
Bryce Kendrick
Bryce Kendrick
Ivy Anderson
Gary Zilke
Gary Zilke
Gary Zilke
Gwen Greenwood
Gwen Greenwood
Gwen Greenwood
Ron Jasper
Ted Greenwood
Ted Greenwood
Ted Greenwood
Mary Hampson
Mary Hampson
Mary Hampson
Cy Hampson
Cy Hampson
Margaret Reeve
Les Colins
Wally du Temple
Helene Dizy
Dieter Weichert
Dieter Weichert
Andrew Michell
Linda Michaluk
Linda Michaluk
Neil Michaluk
Neil Michaluk
Charlie Goldie
Dee Bailin
Jack Anderson
Ken Arnott
Sally Stewart
Sally Stewart
Neil Stewart
Neil Stewart
Brenda May
Brian Maguire
Des Crossley
Wendy Picken
Joe Doman
Joe Doman
Alfred Smith
John Dawson
Maurice Chazottes
Jessie Woollett
Merrill Harrop
Bert Belfie
BC Parks Ranger
Bill Shaw
BC Parks Ranger
Ross Dawson
BC Parks Ranger
Joe Benning
BC Parks Ranger’s
Joe Benning (13-15)
Don Closson (14-19)
Christine Rikley (19+)
Although the park doesn’t face a current threat; there’s a role for maintaining an organization capable of mobilizing.
reestablish the working relationship between the Friends and BC Parks to ensure that the Society has an opportunity to participate in ongoing park maintenance decisions;
establish a Stewardship Agreement between the Friends and BC Parks: This would preauthorize some volunteer activities, enable volunteer logs, and generate a relationship whereby key volunteers would be consulted on priority topics;
fine-tune the Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan (2003 Master Plan): whereby park specific priorities would be identified, coupled with a long term action plan;
engage in evasive species removal, such as broom and holly;
educate the community by conducting nature / history tours; and
develop an expenditure plan for the donated $12,000 currently held in deposits. $3,000 could be designated for reserve; the remainder can be spent in conjunction with BC Parks on the parks maintenance / presentation projects.