Topaz Pk to Summit Pk walk (TENTATIVE)

Note:
I like to time this walk to coincide with the wonderful display of crocuses that arrives at Summit Pk around this time of year. Last year, we were just a bit early and only saw a small display. I've moved the walk back a bit this year in the hope that we'll get a better display. I'll be checking the park regularly to see how things are coming along. If things aren't far enough along within a few days of this walk, then I'll re-schedule it, and we'll go somewhere else instead. Hopefully, the crocuses will show themselves and we can go ahead with this walk as planned.

Update: Feb 20, 2026
I did this walk yesterday, and the crocuses are coming along fine. They should be in full bloom when we go there, as long as we don't get a killing frost or a damaging rainfall. So I'm very optimistic about this walk going ahead as scheduled. :-)

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Topaz Park is well known amongst Victorians. New construction over the past several months has added to the previously existing sports fields, ball diamonds, tennis courts, a skate and bike park, and a huge off-leash area. But did you know that just a short walk to the East lies one of the most beautiful parks in Victoria?

Hidden away in the Hillside-Quadra neighborhood, Summit Park is 11 acres of nearly pristine Garry Oak meadow. This time of year is extra special as in between the oak trees there are thousands of crocuses sprouting up. The park is perched on the top of a hill above Quadra Village to the south, Finlayson Street to the north, Cook Street to the east and Quadra to the west. Being in this high point, combined with little ground cover means that the park has amazing vistas in almost every direction.

Summit Park was created by the City in 1972. The south side of the park borders on the Smith Hill Reservoir which operated only briefly in the early part of the 20th century and has sat pretty much unused for the past 100 years. Another interesting piece of infrastructure is the Telus tower that is at the eastern end of the park, which apart from being a recognizable landmark of Victoria, also provides a great viewing platform which lets you see the Shelbourne Valley spreading out in front of you.

This truly is a complete escape from the city and it is so close to us.
We'll meet at the East parking lot of Topaz Park. There are many ways to get there, but I find the easiest way is just to go along QUADRA until you reach a short little road called Spruce Avenue*. This little road directly connects to Topaz Park's East parking lot.
(*Be aware that due to Victoria's often strange street-naming ways, there is another Spruce Avenue located just to the West of Topaz Park, between Blanshard and Douglas. This is NOT the Spruce Avenue you want.)

From the parking lot, we'll take a gently sloping uphill walk along Topaz Avenue, which leads us to the foot of Summit Park. Following the route I've planned for us, we'll walk along a chip trail to the Smith Hill Reservoir. Those who want to can then take the 22-step staircase up to the Smith Hill Reservoir, which we'll circle and then head back down the staircase. The Telus tower is now just a stone's throw away, and we'll head over there and take in the views.

Next, we'll go down a series of steps - 58 in all - which will deliver us to the gravel walk which meanders through the Garry Oak Meadow and leads us to the crocus fields. The daffodils should be blooming too (hopefully), and we'll dawdle through here because it's so lovely and I'm sure you'll want to take pictures.

After that, our route loops around a couple of different trails, and then sends us back toward Topaz Park.

The footing for this walk is concrete sidewalk, wood chip trail, and gravel trail. Strollers and walkers are easily accommodated, although you'll need to take an alternate route when we encounter the stairs.

I will post a number of photos of various places on our route shortly.