Reay Creek Park is in the seaside community of Sidney, one of thirteen communities that form the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. This creekside park is a tranquil oasis in Sidney since its formation in nineteen eighty. Reay Creek is small creek that flows from the southeastern part of the airport property into the sea waters at Brazen Bay. Brazen Bay is a small indentation of Cordova Channel part of the Salish Sea.
Reay Creek watershed has about one percent riparian area, part of which is the parkland, of its three hundred and forty three hectares. A section of the creek is bordered by parkland although most of it runs through commercial, industrial and residential developments as well as culverts for several roadways. Enjoy a short peaceful stroll along the Reay Creek as the riparian vegetation including snowberries, blackberries, ferns and grasses border the tranquil stream. The pathway along the creek bank meanders around the large cedar and cottonwood trees and past a small pond. The gravel trail, which has a couple of pedestrian bridges, eventually connects with pathways in Peter Grant Park. Coho salmon (Onchorhynkus kisutch) and cutthroat trout (Onchorhynchus clarkii clarkii) can be found in the creek due to the efforts of the Sidney Anglers and Peninsula Streams organizations. An interesting article by Tom Davis in the monthly magazine Pacific Yachting explains the process of rehabilitating the creek. The creek and park honor the brothers, William and Charles, whom obtained the land in eighteen seventy-five. The creek is also known as KELSET (KWOL SIT) Creek in the local language of Sencoten, a dialect of the Salish First Peoples. The small pond was formed by an earth dam in the nineteen thirty five when a landowner held a commercial duck farm along its banks.
Geographical Location N 48 38′ 22″ W123 24′ 57″
Reay Creek Park is accessed from the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1). Exit Hwy1 onto McKenzie Avenue to reach the Pat Bay Highway (Hwy 17). Head north along Hwy17 as it leads past the airport to reach Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula. Turn at left at McTavish Road and travel through the multi-traffic circles following the airport signage. Exit to the right off McTavish onto Canora Road. Follow Canora Road to reach Northbrook Drive. Turn right onto Northbrook Drive and take the first right onto Wesbrook Drive. There are several access points to the creek along Wesbrook Drive. There is some street parking. A bus passes along Canora as it travels through this part of Sidney.
Walks in Your Backyard 