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If you enjoy exploring the many trails of the CRD, be aware that there are multiple closures happening now and in the near future.

From construction on our urban commuter path to cougar sightings in the wild, read on to see which trails are affected.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ⛅ 16 / 11

Tomorrow: ☀ 18 / 11

Day after: ⛅ 19 / 12

7-day forecast

Galloping Goose users will be taking new detour routes starting Sept. 23 to accommodate projects by the CRD and City of Victoria.

Victoria will be upgrading aging sewer pipes in Cecelia Ravine Park, while the CRD widens and adds lighting to the Galloping Goose, with the projects happening in tandem. 

"The City and CRD are working to try to minimize this disruption," the CRD said in an update. "Coordinating the City and CRD work within one construction period will reduce repeated closures and limit long-term disruption in the park."

Since June 1, trail users have been redirected near Viaduct Park and Dupplin for BC Hydro's work on the Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project. 

As the other projects launch Sept. 23, cyclists and pedestrians will be rerouted in separate directions: southbound cyclists will follow a new route at Dupplin, while southbound pedestrians will leave the Goose at Kelvin. 

Both transportation methods will converge at Gorge Road East and Jutland before reconnecting to the regular Goose trail at the Selkirk Trestle. 

The CRD is asking trail users to plan for longer travel times and to review the detour routes before starting their trip.

The detours are expected to expand later this fall, according to the CRD. Advance notice and updated route information will be provided before the change takes effect.

Campfire ban will be lifted today at noon in the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes the Island. [BC Wildfire Service]

Oak Bay Rec Centre closed 9am-5pm on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, for a planned BC Hydro outage. 

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Citing cougar activity within Mount Work Regional Park, the CRD has temporarily closed portions of five of its trails, often used by mountain bikers.

“The CRD reminds visitors that we share our natural areas with all types of large carnivores,” the district said in a service alert.

“Please stay out of the closed sections of trail and keep pets on leash in the park.” 

Sections of these Hartland-area trails have been closed until further notice:

The CRD said it had consulted with the BC Conservation Officer Service to make the decision. It did not reveal any details about the cougar activity.

It took the opportunity to remind all park and campground visitors to always properly secure food and garbage, especially when leaving an area unattended. 

According to WildSafeBC, cougars:

WildSafeBC also says a cougar will stay near a kill site and keep coming back until it has eaten all of the kill. If you happen upon a kill site, leave right away and report the location to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary is a vital habitat for some of the region’s most threatened plants and wildlife. Since 1975, Swan Lake has offered a meaningful gathering hub for people of all ages to connect with nature and with one another through educational programs and hands-on ecological restoration opportunities. 

Join in for Swan Lake’s Fall programs! Learn to identify native species with iNaturalist, Merlin, and eBird, and contribute to community science. Explore why bats have big ears, meet other autumn creatures, build stewardship and native plant gardening skills, forest bathe, or delve into successful recipes for home composting. Browse the website for their free or low-cost program offerings. 

Sign up for the newsletter to stay informed on upcoming events, programs, and opportunities at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. 

🏈 Westshore Rebels host VI Raiders Saturday at Starlight Stadium. 

🏮The Autumn Lantern Festival is next Saturday, Sept. 12, 5-8:30pm at Gordon Head Recreation Centre and Lambrick Park.

🍂 Little Fernwood Harvest Fun Fair: Kick off the fall season with games, baking contests, and music in Fernwood Square. Sept. 12.

⛴️ BC Ferries Labour Day travel tips.

Women of the Fur Trade is Frances Koncan’s wildly funny and razor-sharp remix of Indigenous and Canadian history.

Three women share their views on life, love, and that hot nerd Louis Riel! (“He is SO dreamy…the total package!”)

Pay-what-you-want tickets are available for all performances

74-year-old man assaulted in Gorge Park
VicPD said it responded to a report of an active assault happening in the Tillicum Road park on Monday at 1:15pm. Officers found the man with serious facial injuries caused by an alleged assault involving a male suspect. Police say the suspect and a female youth fled on foot through the dog park after the attack. The victim was taken to Victoria General for treatment. The suspect remains at large, VicPD said. 

Gas-tax holiday extended: feds prolong tax pause at the pumps
The federal government put the excise tax on gasoline and diesel on hold in April to help offset higher fuel prices caused by the US and Israel’s war with Iran. That saved Canadians 10 cents per litre of gasoline and four cents per litre of diesel and aviation fuel. The pause was supposed to end on Sept. 7. On Wednesday, the federal government announced the break will continue and that the tax will return at 50% of its pre-holiday level beginning Feb. 1, 2027, and then fully on April 1, 2027. [CBC]

Pacific FC wins first Canadian Premier League match in 386 days
When the Tridents topped the HFX Wanderers 4-3 on Sunday at Starlight Stadium, it was their first league win since a 3-2 victory over Vancouver on Aug. 10, 2025. The streak of ineptitude spanned 27 league games and a loss at the Voyageurs Cup. PFC head coach Terry Dunfield had to watch from a distance. Dunfield, a former player with the Whitecaps and the Premier League’s Manchester City, was serving a one-game suspension. Tridents assistant coach Jesse Acteson was in charge on the sidelines. [Times Colonist]

🐪 Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life: An immersive exhibition exploring ancient Egyptian rituals, beliefs and artistry at Royal BC Museum. Now through Jan. 3, 2027. [Info]

🎵 Ben and Tom Waters: Ben, one of the UK’s most explosive boogie-woogie and rock ’n’ roll pianists, will perform with his saxophonist son Tom at Langham Court Theatre today. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎥 Movies Under the Stars: See an outdoor screening of Goat and help fundraise for the South Island Primary Care Society at Starlight Stadium tomorrow. 5:30pm. [Info] 

🤹 September Busking Showcase: Support local talent, discover a new favourite performer, and enjoy an evening of live music at Market Square tomorrow. 4-7pm. [Info]

🇬🇷 Greek Fest: The cultural festival returns for a second weekend with great food and live entertainment at the Greek Hellenic Centre. Tomorrow-Sunday. [Info]

⛵ Classic Boat Festival: Celebrate maritime heritage in the Inner Harbour, with classic boats, live music, and snacks. Tomorrow-Sunday. [Info]

✝️ Sister Sophia Kicks the Habit: See this Fringe performance, featuring the humorous revelations of an aging nun in crisis at Victoria Conservatory of Music. Tomorrow-Sunday. Various times. [Info] 

🌭 Highlands Fling: Live music, loads of displays, a market, egg toss, a dangling doughnut eating contest, sack races, and lots to eat at Caleb Pike Heritage Park. Sept. 13. 12-4pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria’s largest pipe organ returns to full voice; 2 more Victoria businesses announce they are closing; Major defence meeting begins in Victoria. [Sept. 2]

Victoria candidates make their policies known in advance of the Oct. 17 municipal election. [CTV] 

2 more MLAs leave BC Conservatives: That makes 9 in the last month. [CBC]

UVic's Ian Stewart Complex evacuated Tuesday due to air quality, everyone safe. [Times Colonist]

Rockland homicide from 5 years ago remains unsolved. [CHEK]

Taking Care of Business: Langford couple gets guitar back to Randy Bachman. [Black Press]

Saanich Fair returns this weekend. [Info]

Back to school: Are your kids 12 and under BusReady?

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