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Lokier Gardens
(Musgrave/Hamiota/ Estevan/ Thompson Junction)
Thomas Lokier was born in Shropshire, England in 1868, and moved
to Canada at age 12. He moved to Victoria in 1943 after a 60-year
career as a cattle
rancher. In 1945 Mr. Lokier built his home at 2455 Hamiota Street, and
was a much-admired resident of Oak Bay from 1945 until his death in 1970
at the age of 101.
This garden, which bears the name of Thomas Lokier, was the original site
for the War Memorial, but had become a weed-filled lot, when Cattle Point
was chosen instead. The .4-acre triangular park sits at the junction of
Hamiota, Estevan, Musgrave and Thompson in the heart of the Estevan community.
With the cooperation of the Municipal Engineer, Mr. Lokier, whose home
overlooked the lot, began to develop a rose garden. He provided money for
plantings and a fence and helped in neighbourhood fundraising for further
plantings He constructed the concrete posts and at 83 he designed and constructed
the iron gates. Councillor Murdoch recommended the Park be named for Lokier
and in 1963 Lokier Gardens was officially dedicated, on Mr. Lokier's 95th
birthday.
Under the care of the Oak Bay Parks Department, Lokier Gardens continues
to thrive as a destination of peace and tranquility within the busy Estevan
neighbourhood.
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