A little more history and a comment about sustainability

In addition to the history that I previously posted (which was off the top of my head), I now have a bit more - this is taken from a kiosk actually in the park, so I'm not exactly sure who to reference!

Before Summit Park, the hilltop was known as Smith Hill - Who Smith was we don not know, The Smith hill reservoir was completed in 1909 and was used to increase water pressure from the supply in far-off Elk Lake. It was taken out of use in 1964 when the Sooke Reservoir took over supplying Vicotria's water. According to the CRD Water Branch which owns the reservoir lands, it has a part to play in fighting fires in the park and in emergency preparedness; it could be brought bakc into use for potable wawter once capped. The Reservoir itself provides habitat for a variety of migratory and local waterbirds. While Hooded Mergansers are most usual, Mallards, American Widgeon, Bufflehead, Glaucous-winged gulll are also regulars. Less comon are Lesser Scaup, Northern shoveleer, Northern Pintail, Eurasian widgeon, and Belted Kingfisher. Harlequin Duck and Wood duck have put in appearances. At night, the reservoir can be packed with hundreds of ducks. By next morning, the only sight to be seen might be a party of gulls, splashing salt from their wings. At dusk, the hilltop is a perfiect place to watch the sunset and the swooping of swallows and bats.
Summit Park was established by the city of Victoria in June 1972 from about 21 acres of hilltop meadow. The reached 1.5 acres of privately owned property that was acquired for the park. Planted daffodil and lilac are allll that reamains of the private homes once in the park. The BC Telephne company was allowed to buy the communications tower site and right of way in 1973 even though the land was reserved for park! The park is now about 11 acres (4.66 Ha) in size. It provides necessary habitat for wildlife and a respite for all city dwellers.