Campus Greenway weaves from west to east

The westernmost segment of the Campus Greenway project stretches from Gordon Head Road to Ring Road. The entire greenway runs through the centre of campus, for a total distance of 1.3 kilometres, and when complete will be a multi-modal route for pedestrians and cyclists between Sinclair Road and Gordon Head Road.

Connecting buildings and public spaces while creating a vibrant academic and social hub, the greenway will be built in phases. The Central Campus portion is still to come and a segment of the East Campus Greenway will be completed in conjunction with the Student Housing and Dining construction project.

The West Campus Greenway is defined by natural features, including the protected area of Bowker Creek and the University Club pond. The pathway through this picturesque area allows visitors to enjoy the third busiest cycling corridor on campus while viewing the ecological features of this portion of the greenway.

“The western section of the Greenway will tell the story of natural areas of campus like the Garry oak ecosystem and Bowker Creek,” says Mike Wilson, director of campus planning and sustainability. “It will also highlight some of the ecological practices we’re committed to at UVic such as storm water management, and become a much safer commuter corridor for active transportation.”

New public spaces will include a plaza and seating area near Gordon Head Road just off the Alumni Chip Trail and a viewing platform and seating area at the headwater of Bowker Creek. An additional viewing platform and seating area will be installed near the University Club pond.

Interpretive signage along the greenway will highlight Indigenous culture, language, history and connections to the land including ecological characteristics. Developed in consultation with the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement, the interpretive panels will tell the stories of relationships with the land that continue today.  A cedar weaving design pattern that will be incorporated in the paving treatment was inspired by the metaphor of weaving in UVic’s Indigenous Plan.

Ecological restoration activities will see the return of native plants and trees, including the planting of camas in the field between Gordon Head Road and West Campus Way, and wetland native plants in the Bowker Creek and University Club pond areas.

Pedestrians and cyclists will enjoy improved controlled road crossings at both West Campus Way and Ring Road. The crossings will be widened and reoriented to safely accommodate foot and bicycle traffic.

The Western Campus Greenway project is anticipated to be complete in Sept. 2021.