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The District of Metchosin (inc. 1984) is a large but thinly populated rural municipality with a landscape of rocky highlands, rolling hills and oceanfront. One of Greater Victoria’s West Shore communities, Metchosin is bounded by Colwood, Langford, Sooke and the Juan de Fuca electoral district. There is evidence of First Nations occupation of Metchosin going back thousands of years; village sites, fortifications, middens and burial cairns. The first Europeans to land here were Spanish; the explorer Manuel Quimper entered Pedder Bay in 1790, followed by other Spaniards in 1792, the same year that Captain George Vancouver was surveying the coastline. During the 1850’s independent settlers established several farms here, one of the first being Bilston Farm on the shores of Witty’s Lagoon. Land was cleared and found quite productive, sheep and cattle grazed the uplands. Access to Victoria was difficult, and most supplies for the fledgling community arrived by water. The federal government established a quarantine station at Albert Head in 1883 for the inspection and control of communicable diseases of people entering Canada, but it was soon discovered a poor site, due to insufficient water supply, lack of accommodation for non-ailing passengers, and its easy accessibility by land, and the station was relocated to William Head. Today Metchosin is a pastoral rural community, winding roads crisscrossing the municipality past small farms, acreages and secluded homes. The business centre of Metchosin is a small village located around the intersection of Happy Valley Road and Metchosin Road. The local government has imposed a minimum one and two acre lot size bylaw to preserve the area's rural lifestyle, and because of this the population of Metchosin is relatively stable at around 5,000. Housing in Metchosin is almost completely composed of single family dwellings on larger properties. Neighborhoods include Albert Head, Kangaroo, Metchosin South, Neild, Olympic View, Pedder Bay, Rocky Point and William Head. Some neighborhoods are served by a community water system but many homes rely on wells, and septic tanks and fields are the norm in Metchosin. You’ll need to arrange private garbage collection, but the Capital Regional District (CRD) offers a blue box recycling service, see their website for schedules and allowable items. Due to the sparse population public transit is limited in Metchosin. The municipality has a volunteer based Fire Department and policing is provided by the RCMP. In spite of its small population (or perhaps because of it), Metchosin is a close knit community, rich in that rural tradition of “help your neighbour”. In 1993 the Metchosin Community Association was formed and in 1999 this non profit group leased a run-down property from the municipality. Months of volunteer work and fundraising led to the opening of Metchosin Community House in 2000. This venue now bustles with various activites throughout the year. Community events that Metchosin residents enjoy include: Metchosin Farmers Market – Sundays, May through October at the Metchosin Municipal Grounds; The Metchosin Sheep Dog Trials and Clinic– Since 1992 this annual event has been held in late July; The Stinking Fish Studio Tour – A self-guided studio tour featuring the best of fine art and craft in Metchosin and East Sooke; Metchosin Day – The biggest community event in this municipality is a fun and free day for the entire family. A 5km run/walk followed by a pancake breakfast, lots of entertainment, a pet show and old fashioned races like the three-legged race, egg and spoon race and more; hay rides, displays of horsemanship and other rural pleasures! The day is topped off by a succulent lamb and barbecue salmon dinner, and Metchosin Halloween – Celebrations including a costume contest, haunting hall, bonfire and fireworks are coordinated by the Metchosin Volunteer Firefighter’s Society and the District of Metchosin, held at the firehall October 31st. As well as these events Metchosin offers many outdoor recreation opportunities in its parks, and along with the other West Shore municipalities, residents have access to facilities such as the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Bear Mountain Arena and Centennial Centre. There are two golf courses within Metchosin, and numerous others nearby, and several equestrian clubs for the many horse owners here. Metchosin contains a wealth of community parks and trails, including: Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park – Within its 56 hectares lies a surprising variety of habitats, there are Douglas Fir forests through which Bilston Creek runs, tumbling towards Sitting Lady Falls which spills into the Lagoon. The beach trail skirts a salt marsh lined with Garry Oak and Arbutus trees and a lovely sandy beach on a shallow bay perfect for swimming when the sun has warmed the incoming tide. This park is a favorite of local birdwatchers as it’s a natural resting spot for migrating birds before they attempt to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Nature Information Centre contains displays explaining the natural and cultural history of Witty’s Lagoon, and interpretive programs are offered throughout the year; Devonian Regional Park – This small wildlife sanctuary is tucked between farms and features mixed woodlands and a winding creek leading to Sherwood Pond, where you will find migratory birds resting up along their journey. Forested trails lead to a stony beach at Parry Bay, and tides permitting, you can hike three kilometres eastwards down the beach to Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park; Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park – This small lagoon is protected as a wildlife sanctuary for the many species of migrating birds that stop here. There is an easy trail to the beach and a picnic area, and Matheson Lake Regional Park – 156.97 hectares providing hiking trails swimming and fishing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and the sandy beach and picnic area is the perfect spot for a dip on a hot summer day. The Galloping Goose Trail passes through the park on its way to Sooke and nearby Roche Cove Regional Park. For those who are seeking a laid-back rural lifestyle that is still close to big city amenities, Metchosin is an excellent choice, Victoria is not far, and the expanding business centres of Langford even closer. The Victoria International Airport and BC Ferries are a short drive away for when you need to leave town. As they say here; many are called – few are Metchosin! Geoff McLean is a realtor in Victoria BC who approaches his real estate vocation with honesty, integrity and straightforwardness. Geoff is also the primary author of a blog about his home city. Living in Victoria is a valuable source of information about the Greater Victoria area for those who are interested in moving to this beautiful city.
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Metchosin, Greater Victoria, rural community, Witty’s Lagoon,
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