Words Jamila Douhaibi
Photos Friends of Sidney Parks
Sidney is full of an array of beautiful parks but many of these parks have invasive species like English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, holly and Daphne that are taking over and making green spaces uninhabitable for native plants.
For the past decade, Friends of North Saanich Parks (FNSP) has been removing invasive species and doing restoration when needed in that region. A group of Sidney residents, some of whom had been volunteering with FNSP, decided to create a similar organization to work in Sidney Parks. This group just started in early 2026 and took a formal proposal for their society to Sidney council in March. It was approved, along with the council signing a one-year agreement, and the group started on April 21.
Judy Thompson, President of Friends of Sidney Parks (FSP), says that North Saanich is less urban than Sidney, but the latter has “different types of parks,” and beautiful green spaces that need to be looked after to ensure the parks are healthy for people to enjoy. The society, which is made up of five board members and additional volunteers, wanted to start small, and have so far worked at the beach accesses on Third Street and Surfside Place, the Ardwell Street access to Rathdown Park, and have now started working in the larger Reay Creek Park. Following initial removal, they will return to the same areas to remove regrowth.
It’s not only trees and plants that don’t thrive with invasives: Judy says that “soil improves” and parks become “more alive when invasive plants are removed.” Wildlife, birds and insects don’t flourish in these environments because introduced plants “take away diversity.” Invasive plants can also be toxic to pets and people, including poison hemlock and Daphne.
Aside from the work itself, which Judy says can be a “meditative activity” and “satisfying because you can see what you’ve done,” work parties are also a time to socialize and connect with others out in nature. Work sessions generally last for three hours, breaking halfway through for snacks, but people can come for shorter periods. No experience necessary and “whatever people can contribute” is appreciated.
Other ways to support local parks include not putting garden waste in parks and planting native seeds in home gardens. The town works with FSP by disposing of removed debris in an area especially devoted to invasive plants. Standing dead branches can also be a fire hazard, so volunteers break the wood into smaller sticks and distribute them on the ground to help regenerate the soil. Judy says that “we have to shift our concept of what is nice looking.” While scattered wood and parks without holly might seem less attractive now, native species will soon fill in to add beautiful local diversity to these places.
With so many parks, trails and beach-side green spaces, the volunteers of Friends of Sidney Parks are proud to uncover and encourage native plant species through the hard work of removing invasives, one patch or pull at a time.
Volunteers are always needed. For more information, or to see the schedule, visit www.friendsofsidneyparks.ca.
