Topaz Park

Improving Topaz Park

In 2021-22, the City is investing nearly $10 million to construct an all-wheels skatepark and bike park and replace the artificial turf sport field in Topaz Park as part of the long-term renewal plan for the park. The projects are guided by the Topaz Park Improvement Plan which was adopted in 2018 to guide improvements over 10 years.

View the 2021-2022 Topaz Park improvement project areas.

Skate and Bike Parks

The new all-wheels skate and bike parks in Topaz Park opened in August 2022.

The new 6,000 square metre bike park and 3,000 square metre all-wheels skatepark were designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind, with input from technical experts and people with lived experience, including athletes. The surfaces and access points, lighting, and furnishings are all designed to support safe use by visitors of all ages and abilities.

The new skatepark offers a space that is inviting and suitable for all skill levels and riders, with a beginners area where people can safely learn and advanced areas for more experienced riders. The new bike park provides a fun and challenging riding experience for a range of skill levels with a series of paved tracks.

The design also includes:

  • Lighting in all areas for evening use
  • A network of barrier-free pedestrian pathways and social areas
  • Native plantings celebrating local ecology
  • A large raingarden to capture and treat stormwater

Contractor New Line Skateparks, a world leader in skate and bike park design and construction, collaborated with artist Germaine Koh to include interactive sculptures throughout the skatepark. The sculptures are inspired by native plants that celebrate energy flows around the site from human movement, natural forces and urban systems.

The skatepark has the largest skate bowl on lower Vancouver Island and can support hosting events and competitions.

Artificial Turf Sport Field Replacement Project

The City is working with a team of consultants and community stakeholders to replace and expand the artificial turf sport field (Finlayson Field) at Topaz Park. This project will expand the current field capacity by including a full-size soccer pitch, youth-size multi-purpose field and softball diamond. The project will also include improved field support amenities such as player shelters, a backstop and spectator seating. The softball diamond will replace one that will be displaced by the construction of a new skate and bike park in the southern portion of the park.

Construction is underway and the new facility is expected to be open for use in early 2023.

SERVICE UPDATE: The field and parking lot off Finlayson Street will be closed for the duration of construction. Alternate parking is available in the public parking lots off Glasgow Street and off Topaz Avenue. The lacrosse box will be open for the duration of construction.

Topaz Park Improvement Project Background

In 2017-2018, the City worked with the community to create an improvement plan for Topaz Park. This long-term plan will guide improvements to Topaz Park over 10 years, including renovating existing park infrastructure, adding new types of amenities, and updating the park to support broad community use. The Topaz Park Improvement Plan was approved by Council in June 2018.

Key features of the plan include:

  • Improved sports fields and recreational facilities
  • A greater diversity of park activities, including a new skateboard park, bike skills park, pickleball courts, and tennis courts
  • A more cohesive, accessible, and family-friendly park layout

Read the Topaz Park Improvement Plan [PDF - 6 MB] and the Topaz Park Improvement Plan Appendices [PDF - 39 MB], including:

  • Engagement summary
  • Parking Impact Assessment
  • Artificial Turf Feasibility Study
  • Accessibility Baseline Report

Updates to the Topaz Park Improvement Plan

The Topaz Park Improvement Plan is a long-range plan that will be implemented in multiple phases. Updates to the features or amenities shown in the plan may be required overtime as new information becomes available or City priorities change.

In 2019, Council directed staff to update the Topaz Park Improvement Plan to focus on designing a replacement of the current artificial turf field, while also increasing support for a planned new artificial turf field at Victoria High School in partnership with School District 61.

Council clarified that although a second artificial turf field was not being prioritized in the immediate future, direction was given to ensure that sufficient space was provided in the northwest corner of the park to accommodate a potential second field in the future.

The new approach will reduce the City’s capital funding requirement, prioritize the completion of two field projects in two neighbourhoods, and allow flexibility to expand capacity in the future at Topaz Park.

About Topaz Park

Located in the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood, Topaz Park is the City’s third largest park and the main recreational park in Victoria. It is home to the City’s only artificial sport field, and includes other amenities such as sports fields, a lacrosse box, leash-optional dog area, fitness equipment and a playground. It is also a popular outdoor special events venue, hosting a range of festivals, sports tournaments, and outdoor events each year.

Park Features

  • Four sport fields – including one artificial turf field
  • Sport box
  • Washrooms
  • Dog leash-optional areas
  • Playground
  • Natural areas
  • Fitness equipment
  • Skate and bike parks (opened in summer 2022)

To book a sports field, or find out a field’s current condition, click here.