The City of Langford has acquired a six-acre property now used as a manufactured home park to build a downtown “urban oasis” for its growing population.
As part of the $9.8-million deal with the owners of Woodlands Park on Hockley Avenue, which has been operated as a manufactured home park for more than six decades, trailer tenants will be offered buyouts and will have until Jan. 31, 2030 to leave.
The city said it’s buying the well-treed parcel from long-time Langford residents Ralph Stoerzer and Laura Kiehl for significantly less than its appraised value of $18.125 million.
It said restoration of the land will begin in 2030 and will build on the park’s trail system and gardens, landscaped ponds and fountains.
Picnic areas and playgrounds are planned as part of the design, which will be modelled on Beacon Hill Park and VanDusen Botanical Gardens in 91原创, the city said.
The land deal was unanimously approved by Langford council at an in-camera meeting in December.
The city said in a statement the acquisition addresses the need for additional parks, trails and open space in Langford’s downtown, something it heard from the public during its Urban Forest Management Plan and Official Community Plan refresh.
The city said it will purchase each manufactured home for the assessed value plus 10%, should the tenant not be able to or want to relocate it. Tenants can request that the city purchase their manufactured home at any time over the next five years.
Langford said it will budget up to $1 million annually to purchase homes as tenants are ready to move, and will appoint a dedicated tenant liaison to assist in the process.
The city will fund $7 million of the $9.8 million purchase price through the Growing Communities Fund, a provincial grant it received 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 about 1.75% in 2029, according to a city statement.
Council has scheduled three readings of a park dedication bylaw for Woodlands Park at its Monday meeting and adoption of the bylaw for its Jan. 20 meeting.
The purchase is being paid in two equal installments: the first was paid on Jan. 8, and the second will be paid on June 8, 2026.
Langford will issue a donation receipt to the owners of $8.325 million — the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price.
“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 Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson said in a statement.
“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.”
