Lombard Green Space is in the District of Metchosin, a coastal community in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. Lombard Green Space hosts forty-four Lombardy poplar trees (Populus nigra x trichocarpa ) that were planted in the late eighteen hundreds. These trees were planted in 1877 by Mr. Hans Lars Helgesen along the drive that led to his family home off of William Head Road. A heritage sign stands beside the street sign marking the significance of this green space. A foot and bridle path lies along side the roadway. These row trees are an exotic species that get their name from the Lombardy plains in Italy. The trees were introduced into the United Kingdom and eventually to Metchosin to enhance the landscape of the farm estates of the new residents. This poplar has a grey to green bark which becomes thickened and blackened with furrows as seen on these older trunks. The triangular or diamond shaped leaves are bright green and help to form a windscreen in this farmland area. Taylor Green Space, Weir Green Space, the Galloping Goose Trail – Metchosin and Weir Green Space are nearby.
Geographical location N48º 21’ 59” W123º 31’ 57”
Lombard Green Space can be reached from Highway 1, the TransCanada Hwy. Exit at the Millstream /Veteran Memorial Parkway overpass and head south along the Veteran Memorial Parkway to reach Latoria Road. Turn left onto Latoria Road and continue along to reach Metchosin Road. Turn right onto Metchosin Road and watch for the signs to Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. Continue along Metchosin Road to Lombard Road. Turn right onto Lombard Road with caution as the road is narrow between the rows of trees. City buses travel along Metchosin Road.
Walks in Your Backyard 