Pearson College Green Space is in the District of Metchosin, a coastal community in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. This green space is on the property of the Lester Bowles Pearson College of the Pacific. It is named after a fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada (1963 to 1968). L.B. Pearson was recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in organizing the United Nations Emergency Force. The college, established in nineteen seventy four from property of the Department of Defense, is a United World College and admits an International Baccalaureate degree. The facilities are off-limits to the public yet the trails are shared. Student use the trails for cross country running as well as research purposes.
This area was selectively logged in the early nineteen hundreds and has some unique flora. Cedar tree stumps, mostly with an approximate 1 meter diameter, are seen along the trails. Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) trees are found in this forest grove that has many rocky outcrops. Salal and ferns are the primary forest floor plants while mosses cover nearly every possible surface. Several ephemeral streams flow through the parkland while Cripple Creek forms the western perimeter.
There are two main access points to the green space. The primary pathways can be accessed from Pearson College Drive. Additional pathways are found between kilometers twenty eight and thirty of the Galloping Goose Trail – Metchosin. There are a maze of footpaths in this green space. The primary footpath that starts near the second sign that along the road into Pearson College. This path can form a circular route that follows the perimeter of the College’s property. The route parallels the Galloping Goose Trail and provides an option to continue to the outdoor exercise and rope practice area. Cripple Creek forms the western perimeter of the property with the locally named Pipeline Trail. This rough path skirts creek and Pedder Bay back to the College parking area.
The campus borders on Pedder Bay and glimpses of the marina can be seen as you stroll along Galloping Goose Trail – Metchosin from the Rocky Point Road site. The rough pathway into Pearson College is accessed from the Galloping Goose Trail near the 30 kilometer marker. This route lead down the slope to Cripple Creek and the Pipeline Trail. A second trail to the green space is access from closer to the 29 kilometer maker of the GGT. This trail connects down the ravine of a small ephemeral creek and up the steep slope to the Barde Knockie or the Deep Woods Trail. A Metchosin Heritage sign marks the junction. The Deep Woods Trail was part of the original overland route from Victoria to Sooke used by early settlers. From the sign a turn to the left leads toward the Pearson College Drive while a turn to the right leads down toward Pedder Bay. Sandgate Green Space, Ron Weir Green Space, Matheson Lake Regional Park and the Galloping Goose Trail – Metchosin are nearby.
Geographical location N48º 20’ 52” W123º 33’ 47”
Pearson College Green Space can be reached from Highway 1 when you exit at the Millstream /Veteran Memorial Parkway exit. 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 continue along as the road changes names to become William Head Road. Follow along the road to the junction with Pearson College Drive. Turn right onto Pearson College Drive and continue to the small parking area of Pearson College is at the end of Pearson College Drive. This is private property with a limited space for hikers to park their vehicles. All buildings are off limits and for continued usage of the trails in this area require respect from all users.
Walks in Your Backyard 