Parks

Mount Prevost is one of the mountainous landmarks towering over the community of Duncan, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. The mountain is easily identified by the two humps sitting on the peak of the mountain. At its summit is the Mount Prevost Memorial Park, in which sits two monuments (NICMM #59012-023) – most of the trails on the mountain are rough and not well maintained, making it difficult to reach this memorial park.

In 2015, the District of Invermere created Cenotaph Park in honour all those who served. This is the gathering place for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony and for community events throughout the year.

Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park was unveiled on July 8, 2017, recognizing the service of all Veterans. A local Veterans group, Military Ames, had approached the City of Kimberley about a vacant downtown lot, presented their plans for a Memorial Park, and the City dedicated the land to them. Military Ames received several grants and assistance, including from Kimberley District Heritage Society, to construct the park.

Within the park is the Cenotaph, two Memorial Walls, a border of boulders that represent strength, and a direct descendant Vimy Oak. The park was laid out so that from an aerial view it depicts a Celtic Cross. At each four points of the cross there is embedded flagstone from the decommissioned cenotaph, representing a compass to guide the souls of the fallen home.

On July 19, 1986, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, the area surrounding the Cenotaph in Kelowna City Park, was officially proclaimed Veterans' Memorial Square.

The All Sappers' Memorial Park was conceived and its construction supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC Commander Camp Chilliwack. It was dedicated on 14 July 1946 by Canada’s Governor General after a year of design and intense labour by Sappers, for Sappers everywhere.

After the closure of Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack in 1998, the Department of National Defence retained ownership of All Sappers' Memorial Park and the cenotaph. Canada Lands Company had the responsibility of disposing of the Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack properties and wished, at the same time, to preserve the military heritage of the area. Their proposal was to not disturb the cenotaph, to increase the land area, to beautify the grounds, and to respect the soil where ashes have been spread. Canada Lands Company worked closely with Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack Historical Society and Retired Sappers to revitalize and refurbish the All Sappers Memorial Park. Mr. Greg Smallenberg was selected as the designer. Among his high-profile works, he was renowned for his work at the Vimy Monument in France.

Ground was broken in June 2009 with the intention to have the restored memorial ready for rededication for Remembrance Week 2009. The construction company GEMCO was given this trust of restoration. They stripped away the concealing hedge, elevated the center island, beautified the landscape, inserted soft lighting and signage, redirected sidewalks into the site and added numerous seats to invite visitors to sit and reflect.

Relatives of Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell participated at the rededication of All Sappers' Memorial Park and Cenotaph on 7 November 2009. Mrs. Frances Bailie (Mitchell’s daughter) and her son Philip Beck and Mitchell’s great-grandson, Liam Gleeson in his cadet uniform, did Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell proudly. Mrs. Bailie’s speech held the spectators spellbound. The silence was maintained as the family laid a wreath in memory of their renowned relative. 

The Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack Historical Society worked with Canada Lands Company to perpetuate the heritage of the former CFB Chilliwack and the service personnel who lived and trained there from 1942 to 1997. The Canada Lands Company dedicated the Legacy Walk on April 21, 2006.

Retired Sappers, Air Force Association, RCMP, Corrections Canada, and Cadets were on parade at the dedication. Accompanying the #280 Vedder Golden Legion's showing of colours was the Chilliwack District Pipes and Drums. Mr. Doug Kester, Vice President, Real Estate, Western Region, Canada Lands Company, opened the Legacy Walk ceremony.

Retired Sappers were evident through all aspects of the planning and preparation of the opening of Legacy Walk, Don Rodger was Parade Marshall, Tom Walton was Sergeant at Arms, Bill Stone was Base Drum for the band and Al Dempsey, Canada Lands Company Project Manager was Master of Ceremonies. It was here at CFB Chilliwack that army engineers known as Sappers developed, honed and built the military installments that became the hallmarks of Canadian Forces at home and around the world.

The Canada Lands Company had 27 plaques installed along the Legacy Walk. The military-related plaques are:

Got Milk?
Cheam Centre
Mitchell Gardens
Lieutenant Colonel C.N. Mitchell, VC, MC
Daily Life in Mitchell Gardens
Cheam Centre Historic Precinct
The Woods/Restoration of "The Woods"
The Boulevard/The Boulevard - Realignment
Coming Home
Permanent Married Quarters
Restored & New Homes
Garrison Crossing
Street Names of Garrison Crossing
Watson Elementary School
Sappers' Way
The Quarters & Dempsey Place
Sapper Apprentices
A Former Military Community
The Sappers & Their Community
The Base Fire Hall
The Bailey Bridge
Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack
Vedder Crossing

There is a map of the path created by the CFB Chilliwack Historical Society. Mitchell Gardens Memorial is also located at Garrison Crossing.

Gore Peace Memorial Park, .09 Ha, was dedicated in 1919 when a memorial ceremony was held on July 19 to honour the young men from Saanich killed in WWI. A peace memorial made out of a granite block was unveiled in the park on November 11, 1957.

The memorial was relocated from the park to the municipal hall after a 5-2 council vote in May 1970. For more information visit the Saanich Archives.

Excerpts from the brochure of the Veterans Memorial Park, Prince Edward Branch #91, The Royal Canadian Legion, Langford, BC:L

Prince Edward Branch of the West Shore Communities of Victoria, in conjunction with, the Langford Municipality organized and implemented the development of the Veterans Memorial Park. It is approximately 2.5 acres, which includes a picnic area, water feature, playground, benches for relaxing, and an area for shooting hoops. The park opened 19 September 2001 at a cost of approximately $450,000.00 with our Branch providing the new War Memorial. Maple Leafs are placed in the ground at Veterans Park and are available to the public who wish to have them custom engraved. Engraved Plaques placed on park benches are also available. Our Candelight tribute that we hold every year in conjunction with the anniversary of Vimy Ridge on April 9th, is a commemorative ceremony to inspire and engage young Canadians to learn about Canadian military history in the cause of peace and freedom. Youth and a Veteran or serving member of the Armed Forces will place candles together, during the ceremony, in a symbolic passing of the torch of remembrance. Their legacy, our heritage, and our future! During the dedication ceremony on October 14th 2001, candles were placed on the Memorial by youth representing local Cadets, Guides and Scouts. The parade, approximately 450 strong, consisted of Legion Members, Military, other Veterans groups from around Victoria, RCMP, and Fire Department. Every year on November 11th members of the West Shore Communities gather at Veterans Park to remember all those who gave so much for our freedom.

Excerpts from the brochure of the Veterans Memorial Park, Prince Edward Branch #91, The Royal Canadian Legion, Langford, BC:

Prince Edward Branch of the West Shore Communities of Victoria, in conjunction with, the Langford Municipality organized and implemented the development of the Veterans Memorial Park. It is approximately 2.5 acres, which includes a picnic area, water feature, playground, benches for relaxing, and an area for shooting hoops. The park opened 19 September 2001 at a cost of approximately $450,000.00 with our Branch providing the new War Memorial. The Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans' Association dedicated this Bandstand to all Canadian Women Mariners who served their country in Wartime. Our Candelight tribute that we hold every year in conjunction with the anniversary of Vimy Ridge on April 9th, is a commemorative ceremony to inspire and engage young Canadians to learn about Canadian military history in the cause of peace and freedom. Youth and a Veteran or serving member of the Armed Forces will place candles together, during the ceremony, in a symbolic passing of the torch of remembrance. Their legacy, our heritage, and our future! During the dedication ceremony on October 14th 2001, candles were placed on the Memorial by youth representing local Cadets, Guides and Scouts. The parade, approximately 450 strong, consisted of Legion Members, Military, other Veterans groups from around Victoria, RCMP, and Fire Department. Every year on November 11th members of the West Shore Communities gather at Veterans Park to remember all those who gave so much for our freedom.

Dedicated Vimy Park by the municipality of Kent, this memorial is dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars. The park is marked by a low memorial wall bearing a plaque.