2019 celebrates Jarrett’s 45th birthday, 27 years of service with the Canadian Armed Forces, and marks his 30th anniversary of volunteering at John Dean Park. Yes, during spring break 1989, Jarrett was 14½ when he first excavated the great stone steps along Bob Boyd’s Climb, and that summer he participated in building the Slektain Trail. […]
Category Archives: John Dean Trails
Merrill Harrop Trail 2018 Improvements
Sustainable trail improvements have been accomplished. For a particular project at John Dean Park (17-21 Dec 18, full days), I’ve never received so many compliments. Thank-you so much for your support and appreciation for this high-level trail stewardship. Anyone familiar with the Merrill Harrop Trailhead at Alec Road, knows the long exposed polished Douglas fir […]
UNVEILING THREE NEW TRAILS – 30 years ago
Friends Picnic, May 21, 1988 By year four, the Friends of John Dean Park had many endeavours underway: – Old garbage: removals from road, summit, and viewpoints; – Fire pit in the picnic site: request for removal; – Night Gate: request for installation; – Parking lot kiosk and park map: request for installation; – Radar […]
RESPONSE FEB-MAR 2017
Repairs & Removals – 6-8 Feb 2017, the old-growth valley at John Dean Park received 16” of soft snow, which compacted to an 11” hard pack. During the evening of Wednesday, 8 Feb., a freezing rain added a huge weight and literally brought down hundreds of limbs, 65 smaller trees and one old growth Douglas fir. The […]
TRAIL SIGN EVOLUTION
A 25yr Signature Endeavor | 1991-2016 By Tyson Mazer Jarrett w/Amir (2mth) | May 2011 At John Dean Park in 1981, at the base of the Entrance Trail stood a beautiful classic sign “WATER”, which pointed southward towards the green hand pump. It was the parks only wood sign, which stayed in place until the picnic site […]
HIKING GREATER VICTORIA REGION
2016 Hiking Leaders: With up to 4,500 visitors touring the trails of John Dean Park each month, impacts on the park are considerable. Although you may not immediately see the effects of your actions, please keep in mind the cumulative effect of all the people who will visit the park this year. Jarrett believes […]
SOUTH ENTRANCE TO JOHN DEAN PARK
Gail Wickens’ Trail – 11 Dec 1971 & Haldon Park – 10 Jan 1980 ACCESS: From Saanichton, drive west along Mount Newton Crossroad; turn north on Thomson Road; and park near the top of the road. The Gail Wickens’ Trail heads up northward to Thomson Place, crosses the road, and heads up into Haldon […]
PICKLES’ BLUFF STEWARDSHIP SUCCESSION
Today, Pickles’ Bluff is mint – ready for special visitors! Updated: May 2016 The magnificent Pickles’ Bluff is the best place to share with tourist and visitors alike! The eastward views are exceptional, everything from Sidney, the North Shore Mountains, the Gulf & San Juan Islands, the Cascades, the Victoria area and the […]
FIRST-LINE VOLUNTEERS / “TRAIL CAPTAINS” – REWARDING!
Jarrett Teague believes John Dean Provincial Park requires the following “first-line volunteers”, best acknowledged as “Trail Captains.” Would you like to accept one of these volunteer roles? Entrance Road Parking Lots Pickles’ Bluff Abraham Collins Lookout & summit meadows Old Growth Valley / Valley Mist Trail & Skipper’s Path Merrill Harrop Trail West Viewpoint & […]