Langford Lake Park is in Langford, B.C. It is also known as Leigh Beach Park as it can be accessed near the end of Leigh Road. This large waterfront park has a walking trail, washrooms, playground, picnic tables, benches, fishing wharves and several sections with boardwalks. The park is hosts most of the four and half kilometer long Ed Nixon Trail which circles the lake. Black cottonwood, Douglas fir, arbutus and red alder trees are seen in this park.
Langford Lake, along with Glen Lake and Florence Lake, is a natural glacial kettle formed by glacial drift during the last ice age. Inflow to Langford Lake is primarily through storm water ponds and weir located at along the southeast shoreline. The original drainage of the lake was altered when the railway berm was constructed in the nineteen thirties. Langford Lake’s outflow is through a drainage ditch with a large culvert into Langford Creek and onto Goldstream River. These waters eventually reach Saanich Inlet and the Salish Sea. Monitoring of the sixty one hectares that form Langford Lake is a combined effort of the Langford Lake Area Protection Society and British Columbia’s Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program. Since the installation of an aerator system, Langford Lake has become a user-friendly lake for water enthusiasts. Overseen by the City of Langford under guidelines from British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment, the drainage system is set to maintain a constant water level during the summer. With an average depth of nine meters and maximum depth of sixteen meters, Langford Lake reaches its highest water level during rainy winter months. Langford Lake was once a source of domestic water supply but today its six kilometer shoreline is a source of recreation for lakeside property owners with six public access areas. Several public swimming areas may be found around Langford Lake as well as two other public beaches. Boaters, canoers and kayakers can use the boat launch found at the lake’s southeast end. To help maintain Langford Lake’s quiet and peaceful setting, outboard motors and personal water craft are not permitted. Three wheelchair accessible fishing floats are provided by the City of Langford. The lake is annually stocked with seven hundred and fifty rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) although the waters might contain native fish called peamouth minnows (Mylocheilus caurinus). Trout and other introduced fish such as small mouth bass, pumpkin seed sunfish and yellow perch are caught by local fishers. Native fish, like M. caurinus, are rare since like many freshwater fish, these minnows are not capable of surviving in salt water to have swum to the island. Leigh Beach Park, Le Quesne Park, Flute Lane Park, City Center Park, Westhills Park, Goudy Park, Belmont Secondary School Green Space, Glen Lake Park and Irwin Park are nearby.
Geographic location N48° 26’39” W123° 31’ 34”
Langford Lake Park can be reached from the Trans Canada Highway also called Hwy1. Turn at Leigh Road exit and continue along to turn right onto Goldstream Avenue. Continue on Leigh Road as it curves past the lakefront homes to the west. The park is on the right near the rail way track. There is a large gravel parking area and limited roadside parking this area. City buses travel along Goldstream Avenue and Langford Parkway.
Walks in Your Backyard 