Oaklands Community Centre

Oaklands Park Signs

The City of Victoria and the Oaklands Community Association are proud to announce the Oaklands Community Park Signs Project. The central goal of this project is to create six permanently installed artistic signs in our local neighbourhood spaces. Artwork, photography, and text will highlight urban wildlife, native plants, local history and community life.  The signs have been posted. Click on the map below to see where in Oaklands you can view these signs.

 Park Signs Sites & Themes

1. Oaklands Elementary School & Community Centre Grounds, Community Building

2. Ryan St. Greenway, Greenway History & Native Plants

3. Haultain Belmont Corners, Historical  Oaklands

4. Mt. Stephen Park, The Garry Oak Meadow Ecosystem

5. Oswald Park, Playing Together in our Neighbourhood Park

6. Connecting Pathway between Mytle & Hillside, exact location TBA, Bowker Creek

 For a GOOGLE MAP of the Park Signs locations click here. 

Ryan Street Greenway

The transformation is virtually complete at the corner of Ryan Street and Belmont Avenue.  In fact, it's hard to believe that not very long ago this area was an ill kept gravel parking space, with cars often encroaching on the delicate root systems of the long standing Garry Oaks.

Thanks to the tireless work of volunteers, and support from the City of Victoria, Oaklands Community Association, & Centre, the Victoria School for Ideal Education, Lansdowne Preschool, St. Alban's Church, groups such as Habitat Acquisition Trust and local leaders, the Ryan Street Greenway continues to evolve into a beautiful walking area and community asset for folks of all ages.

Notice the better definition of vehicle accesses, pedestrian walkways and an increase in the Greenspace.

The main focus is protection of the Garry Oaks and enhancement of their environment.  The re-introduction of a native plant ecosystem will require minimal maintenance but will restore support for indigenous insect, bird and animal species.

Green thumbs are always welcome to help out the Oaklands Parks Committee.  Contact our Facility Office Manager via email facilities@oaklandscommunitycentre.com or call 250-370-9101.

Stream of Dreams

Oaklands Community Centre and Elementary School were pleased to welcome the Stream of Dreams program to the community in November 2007. The program aims to educate communities about thier watersheds, rivers and streams, while dazzling them with the charm of community art.

Many volunteer hours went into the preparation and installation of the fish. A special thanks goes to Derrek Hutchings and the Arts & Crafts program participants at William Head Institution for doing a beautiful job of cutting our fish. Also, thank-you to the following sponsors for your donations: Hillside Shopping Centre, The Black Stilt Coffee Lounge, Reimer Hardwoods, General Paints, Cobs Bakery and Hillside Starbucks. Finally, thank you to all of the Oaklands Community Centre & School staff, parents and community members who generously donated their time to make this project a success!

Project Bannerama 

Completed and installed in the Spring of 2007, this project was a joint effort between the Ci ty of Victoria and the Oaklands Community Association.   The idea was to highlight a particular area or 'node' in the community.  Oaklands Community Centre held a banner design contest in late 2006.  The winning design (show right) was submitted by local artist Caroline Stengl.  The banners are now installed along Ryan Street and Belmont Avenue, and at key intersections and entrances to the community.  Look up, look way up!