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LANGFORD ADDING OVER SIX ACRES OF URBAN PARK IN ITS DOWNTOWN CORE

(Langford, B.C.) – The City of Langford is enhancing its downtown core by adding over six acres of greenspace through the acquisition of Woodlands Park, located at 848 Hockley Avenue. The acquisition, unanimously approved by Council In-Camera in December 2024, addresses the need for additional parks, trails, and open space in Langford’s downtown, as highlighted by the City’s Parks Needs Assessment, Urban Forest Management Plan, and Official Community Plan Refresh public input.

Woodlands Park has been privately operated as a manufactured home park for almost 60 years. This significant property in downtown Langford features mature trees, botanical flower beds, and tranquil winding pathways. Woodlands Park, stewarded by longtime Langford residents Ralph Stoerzer and Laura Kiehl, was secured by the City for $9.8 million, which is significantly less than its appraised value of $18.125 million. This transfer of land reflects their vision and desire to leave a lasting legacy for the residents of Langford while meeting their need to retire and plan for their next phase of life. The City will issue a donation receipt to the operators of $8.325 million, which is the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price.

The City anticipates that the restoration of the urban oasis will begin in the spring of 2030 and will include additional trails and gardens, open green space, decorative fountains, landscaped ponds, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, and the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle will provide inspiration for the future design of Woodlands Park.

To respectfully wind down the manufactured home park operations over the next five years, Council has approved a robust set of supports for existing tenants of Woodlands Park that exceeds the requirements of the provincial Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. Tenants will have the option of continuing to reside in Woodlands Park for up to five years, until January 31, 2030, at which time the City will purchase each manufactured home for the assessed value plus 10%, should the tenant not be able to or want to relocate their manufactured home. Tenants can also request that the City purchase their manufactured home at any time over the next five years  at the assessed value plus 10%, if the tenants’ life circumstances require an earlier move. To facilitate this, the City will budget up to $1 million annually to purchase homes as tenants are ready to move. To ensure a smooth transition for existing tenants, the City has appointed a dedicated Tenant Liaison to assist throughout this process.

“Ralph and Laura’s vision and significant contribution to the community will create an accessible urban oasis that benefits both current and future generations,” said Scott Goodmanson, Mayor of Langford. “This once in a generation initiative will transform Langford’s downtown by adding much needed greenspace, trails and gardens while preserving the biodiversity and mature tree canopy for residents to enjoy. I look forward to Woodlands Park providing year-round opportunities for friends and family to come together with nature in Langford’s downtown core.”

The City will fund $7 million of the $9.8 million purchase price through the Growing Communities Fund, a provincial grant received by the City in March 2023. In addition to the $1 million to be budgeted annually for tenant supports between 2025-2029, the remainder of the purchase price, along with the future transformation of the urban park in 2030, will require an additional tax increase of approximately 1.75% in 2029.

Langford Council will consider first three readings of a Park Dedication Bylaw for Woodlands Park on January 13, 2025. This bylaw will designate the land as a permanent “green oasis” in the downtown core of Langford, ensuring it remains freely accessible to everyone, protects biodiversity, and provides a peaceful and tranquil environment, featuring a horticultural-style garden and an overstory of trees.

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ATTENTION MEDIA: To respect the privacy of tenants and the operator, media and the public are asked to refrain from entering Woodlands Park. The operator will not be taking media interviews. A member of City Council will be available for media interviews on January 9^th and 10^th upon request.

City of Langford Council with Woodlands Park stewards Ralph Stoerzer and Laura Kiehl.
(From left to right, Councillor Lillian Spzak, Councillor Keith Yacucha, Mayor Scott Goodmanson, Laura Kiehl, Ralph Stoerzer, Councillor Colby Harder, Councillor Mary Wagner, and Councillor Kimberly Guiry. Missing from photo: Councillor Mark Morley).

Ariel overview of Woodlands Park, located in downtown Langford at 848 Hockley Avenue.

A tranquil winding pathway at Woodlands Park.

A bench within the botanical gardens at Woodlands Park.

Woodlands Park features a wide range of plant and flower species.

A botanical flowerbed at Woodlands Park.

WOODLANDS PARK STORY: The City has created a video which articulates the background and vision of Woodlands Park told by the stewards of the land, Ralph Stoerzer and Laura Kiehl. Media are invited to use the video clips to support their story. The video can be downloaded HERE.

IMAGES: Additional photos of the property are available to view at Langford.ca/Woodlands

QUICK FACTS:

• Collaborating with the City allows the landowners to realize their vision for a “green oasis” in downtown Langford freely accessible to all, plan for their retirement and next phase of life, and ensure the land is not developed.
• The City has purchased the property from Woodlands Park Enterprises Ltd. for $9.8 million. The City will also issue a donation receipt of $8.325 million, reflecting the total appraised value of $18.125 million.
• The purchase will be paid in two equal installments: the first was paid on January 8, 2025, and the second will be paid on June 8, 2026.
• Given the sensitive nature of this initiative for Woodlands Park tenants, Council approved the Purchase, Sale and Donation Agreement for Woodlands Park during an In-Camera meeting (as is typical with most land negotiations) in December 2024.
• Council will consider first three readings of the necessary Parks Dedication Bylaw on January 13, 2025, and adoption of the Parks Dedication Bylaw on January 20, 2025.
• The bylaw will, in addition to designating the land as a permanent “green oasis” in the downtown core of Langford, will be formally designated Woodlands Park as a non-sheltering park.
• In addition to the Parks Dedication Bylaw, a covenant will provide additional protections for the land.
• A portion of Hockley Avenue will also be closed and dedicated as Park land.
• The transfer will officially take place on January 22, 2025, at which time the City will assume all existing tenancy agreements for the manufactured home park and will enter into an agreement with the vendor for continued management and gardening services for one year, with an option for renewal.
• The acquisition follows significant due diligence, conducted by the City’s external legal counsel, TerraWest Environmental Inc., and Colliers Project Leaders.

For further information for existing tenants, the general public and media, visit: Langford.ca/Woodlands

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