The Mt. Tolmie neighbourhood is blessed with a mild climate, lovely green spaces, and great amenities. Perhaps the best feature (did this bring you here?) is the excellent public schools and university. You could go from kindergarten to Ph.D. without ever riding in a vehicle! Here are some of the many places you'll find around our neighbourhood:

Mt. Tolmie Our namesake and dominating feature rises to 120 m above sea level. You can walk to the top (about twenty minutes): from Cedar Hill Cross Road, take the trail near the intersection of Gordon Head Road. Then, choose the left trails where the trails branch off. The trails on the right will cross Mayfair Dr. but will wind up in the same place. Please stay on the trails as the plants and wildlife homes are very fragile. The Mt. Tolmie Conservancy Assocation advocates for the conservation of the park. Enjoy the views at the top!

Neighbourhood parks

Schools and libraries

Shopping and services

Churches

Our neighbours (University of Victoria, Mt. Douglas school, Arbutus school, and more)

Neighbourhood parks

Horner Park   Off Broadmead Ave. (from Palo Alto St.), Kisber Ave., or Iona Drive (turn off Cedar Hill Cross Road). A great neighbourhood park with good play equipment and swings for the kids. Also a basketball half court and street hockey net, and a baseball diamond. Mt. Tolmie Community Association events sometimes take place here.

Onyx Park   At Onyx Place (off Garnet Rd.) or from Howroyd St. (off Mortimer St.). A small park with swings for the younger kids. A great place just to have a rest for a while or for a small family picnic.

Rowan Park   At the corner of Rowan St. and Thistle St. just northeast of Doncaster school. A very small park just the right size for the little ones.

Schools

Campus View school   3900 Gordon Head Road. This kindergarten to grade 5 public school has both an English program and a French immersion program, where children can learn in French starting in kindergarten or grade one (no previous French necessary). Campus View also has two playgrounds and several outdoor basketball courts, which you can use when the school is not in session. The schoolyard is also a great place to fly a kite, kick a ball, learn to ride a bike, etc.

Cedar Hill school   3910 Cedar Hill Road, across from the Nellie McClung library. This public school's students are in grades 6-8. Campus View's French immersion students generally advance to this school, as well as many students in the English track from around the area. The schoolyard can be used by the public during daylight hours when school is not in session.

Doncaster   1525 Rowan Street at Cedar Hill Road. This popular kindergarten to grade 5 public school also has a English and French immersion programs. Doncaster also has two playgrounds and fields, which you can use when the school is not in session.

Nellie McClung library   Part of the Greater Victoria Public Library. 3950 Cedar Hill Road. A great place to check out lots of books, talking books, magazines, CD's, CD-ROM's, DVD's, video games, etc. A kids area, computer for the kids, and several public internet PC's. Free library card (proof of Greater Victoria residency required).

University of Victoria Community Relations Department   The UVic Community Relations Department builds and maintains links between the University and its various external communities.

Shopping and services

McKenzie Professional Centre   1595 McKenzie Avenue. At the southwest corner of McKenzie and Shelbourne Street. This building has a walk-in medical centre, medical testing laboratory, medical and other professionals, and other services and shops. To the east is a good-sized grocery store.

Shelbourne Plaza   3601 - 3667 Shelbourne Street. At the southeast corner of Shelbourne Street and Cedar Hill Cross Road. This mall has a good-sized grocery store, pharmacy, bank, liquor store, cafe, restaurants, bike shop, and lots of other shops and services. There are also restaurants, a thrift store, martial art schools, dance school, restaurants, and other shops and services to the east along Cedar Hill Cross Road and across the street along Shelbourne St.

Shelbourne Village Square   3749 Shelbourne Street. At the northeast corner of Shelbourne Street and Cedar Hill Cross Road. This mall has a medical testing laboratory, convenience store, barber, and several restaurants and shops.

Tuscany Village   At the northeast corner of Shelbourne St. and McKenzie Ave. Grocery store, pharmacy, hair cutting, restaurtants, shops, and services.

University Heights Mall   At the northwest corner of Shelbourne St. and McKenzie Ave. Grocery store, cinemas, home improvment/garden store, shops, and services.

Churches

Lutheran Church of the Cross   3787 Cedar Hill Road. At the southeast corner of Cedar Hill Road and Cedar Hill Cross Road. An Evangelical Lutheran church first constructed in 1960.

St. Aidan's church   3703 St. Aidan's Street. At the corner of Cedar Hill Cross Road and Palo Alto St. A United church first constructed in 1873 as a Presbyterian church. Thrift sale downstairs (Palo Alto St.) Wednesdays 10-2, Sept. to June (check their website for other times and details).

St. Luke's church   3821 Cedar Hill Cross Road. At the northwest corner of Cedar Hill Road and Cedar Hill Cross Road. An Anglican church first constructed in 1861.

Our Neighbours

Arbutus school   2306 Edgelow Road (off Gordon Head Road). This public school's students are also in grades 6-8. Campus View's English track students generally advance to this school. Near UVic.

Cedar Hill Recreation Centre   3220 Cedar Hill Road. About 2 km from Mt. Tolmie, this is another great Saanich community centre. Indoor tennis courts and squash courts, newly renovated weight room, drop-in volleyball, badminton, and other sports, etc. Also see our Recreation page for a list of all public recreation centres in Victoria with distances and links.

Gordon Head Recreation Centre   4100 Lambrick Way. About 3 km from Mt. Tolmie, this is a great pool and Saanich community centre including a weight room and gym.

Henderson Centre   2291 Cedar Hill Cross Road. This community centre in Oak Bay has a weight room, gym, outdoor lighted tennis courts, pitch-and-putt golf course, jogging trails in the woods, etc. Lots of registered and drop-in programs available. Has a drop-in preschool gym three times a week. Close to UVic.

Mt. Douglas school   3970 Gordon Head Road. This popular public school has several hundred students in grades 9-12. Home of the Rams, Mt. Doug is a force to be reckoned with in basketball, volleyball, and other sports.

University of Victoria   Turn in from Cedar Hill Cross Road at Henderson Road. You can't miss the signs. Our big neighbour has over 18,000 students in full or part time attendance and is a major employer in the area. UVic, as it is frequently called, lies half in Saanich municipality and half in Oak Bay. The public is welcome to visit. Catch a movie at the Cinecenta (in the Student Union Building - lower priced kids weekend matinees), or visit the library (but you can't check out books without a UVic card). UVic alumni get special deals for all these services. Home of the UVic Vikes -- watch for great basketball games and other sports. Tickets required for some events.