Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park is in the District of Metchosin, a coastal community in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. The park is a chosen wildlife sanctuary with frequent sightings of swans, herons, and turkey vultures. Created from land donated by Genstar Limited in the later nineteen seventies, the park was named for the neighborhood in Metchosin. It is located on the southern end of Vancouver Island, the headland to the southwest of the park is called Albert Head; so named for Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, as a result of the survey in the eighteen forties by the captain and crew of the HMS Herald, a twenty six gun frigate. The park is managed by the Capital Regional District. This seven hectare sanctuary provides a wonderful place for a respite from the traffic along Metchosin Road. A short thirty meter long trail along the berm of the lagoon connects with rough twenty meter long trail along the chain-link fence of the Department of National Defense property. The lagoon is good place to observe migratory and local birds as there is a trail along the slope of the hill. A panorama of the lagoon can be achieved from a short stroll along the fence line. This stroll takes you under some tall Douglas fir trees and garry oak trees with small shrubs such as salal and hardhack in the under growth. Several ferns are found along the lagoon and hill slope. The views across the Juan de Fuca Strait and toward the Olympic Mountains are wonderful. The lagoon is surrounded by aesthetic homes. North Latoria and Spruston Creek flow into the tidal lagoon from a small watershed area of three hundred and seventy-two hectares. River otters, seals and other small animals are seen this is area. This park is good place to launch a personal watercraft to explore the waterfront area. The Vancouver Island Steam Saw Mill operated near the lagoon for six years in the eighteen fifties. This company was founded by employees of the Hudson Bay Company. This is a good place to start a stroll along Albert Head Beach northward toward Royal Bay Beach Park and Esquimalt Lagoon Park in Colwood.
Geographical Location N48º 23’ 44” W123º 29’ 19”
Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park is access from the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1). Exit the highway onto the Old Island Highway into Colwood. Follow the Old Island Highway as it becomes Sooke Road. Turn left onto Metchosin Road and continue along Metchosin Road to reach Farhill Road. Turn left onto Farhill Road then right onto Lower Park Road. Follow Park Road as it curves to become Delgada Road. A small parking area is found at the bottom of the hill within Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park. City buses travel along Metchosin Road from which it is a four hundred meter stroll along roadways to reach the park.
Walks in Your Backyard 