The latest Oak Bay Talks… by the Community Association of Oak Bay, focuses on the oddly named peninsula of Turkey Head.
Abutted by beaches, Oak Bay Marina and district parks, Turkey Head is primarily used as a parking lot. It is also popular for its walkway around and the Salish Sea sculpture by Chris Paul. The Lekwungen-speaking ancestors of the Songhees First Nation knew the place as spewhung (fog). Ancient shell middens on the site tell of their long occupation and use of the place to harvest shell-fish.
“We just thought we would see what ideas are out there,” said Rick Marshall, Community Association of Oak Bay. “A first step to initiate and bring forward some ideas on the use of that space.”
Several Embrace the Night walks, also co-ordinated by the COAB start and finish in the parking lot adjacent to the marina. Those gatherings spurred conversation.
“We think people have been think about this and here is an opportunity for them to let it out and share ideas,” Marshall said.
Jacques Sirois, a member of CAOB with an longstanding vision to reinvigorate the shoreline will “share the gifts that are there” on the shoreline. The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network provides input and collaborates on the talk Saturday at Windsor Park Pavilion. Guests will learn the basics of “placemaking, visit and walk about the site to experience it together, then share and illustrate our ideas of those possibilities.
“We’re going to talk about the general idea … then we’ll walk over there and see what ideas are prompted on the site,” Marshall said.
The brainstorm on Turkey Head uses is Saturday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Windsor Park Pavilion. The event is free, and all are welcome. Light refreshments provided. For more information, see www.caob.ca and or www.pps.org