Woodsdale (Wood Lake).

How Woodsdale (Wood Lake) took shape

Woodsdale is the area along Woodsdale Road between Winfield and the south end of Wood Lake. Its name comes from pioneer rancher Thomas Wood, and in 1920 it was proposed for the whole community before Winfield won the vote. Once orchard and ranch land, it is now becoming Lake Country's central park district.

Woodsdale occupies the low ground at the south end of Wood Lake, the lake the syilx people called Pelmewash, a name now carried by the parkway on its western shore. An old portage ran from Okanagan Lake to Wood Lake's southwest shore, and stone points and tools have been found at both ends. In 1871 Thomas Wood preempted land at the southern tip of what was then called Long Lake or Wood's Lake and built his ranch house, Winfield Lodge. His name stuck to the lake and later to this corner. In 1920, when residents met to choose a proper name for the district, M. P. Williams proposed Woodsdale and W. R.

Powley proposed Winfield. Winfield won, but Woodsdale lived on in the road, in an Anglican parish formed in 1928 and in the neighbourhood itself. The 1908 canal to Kalamalka Lake dropped Wood Lake by about four feet and opened it to steamers such as the Maud Allen, which carried people and freight from Woodsdale to the head of Kalamalka Lake. Orchards covered the benches and mixed farms the bottomland, and a heritage marker in Beasley Park tells the community's story. Today Woodsdale is a mix of established homes, lakeside lots and small farms within the Winfield ward, where more than half the land is in the Agricultural Land Reserve. Middle Vernon Creek, which flows from Duck Lake into Wood Lake, caused flood damage along its corridor in 2017 and 2018. 86 hectares of connected park space between Beasley Park and Reiswig Regional Park.

1. 1871Thomas Wood's preemption is recorded on April 14 for land at the south end of Long Lake or Wood's Lake. Source
2. 1908The canal to Kalamalka Lake lowers Wood Lake about four feet and opens it to steamers. Source
3. 1920A public meeting chooses Winfield over Woodsdale as the community's name. Source
4. 1928The Anglican Parish of Woodsdale is formed. Source
5. 2017Middle Vernon Creek floods, with more damage in 2018, prompting a District flood hazard study. Source

The homes & their setting

Woodsdale is part of the Winfield ward, where 52% of dwellings were built from 2001 to 2021 and 56% are single detached. Woodsdale itself is mostly established detached homes, lakeside lots and small farm parcels rather than the newer condos near Main Street.

Building age, tenure, amenities and permitted uses vary by address. Explore the actual property documents with Elaine and the appropriate specialists.

Places with a story

• Woodsdale heritage marker, Beasley Park — Tells the story of the Woodsdale community on Wood Lake's south shore. History source
• Pelmewash Parkway — The lakeside road, named in 2013, carries the syilx name for Wood Lake. History source
• Woodsdale Packinghouse Park, 3724 Woodsdale Road — Its name recalls the district's fruit packing era; the park has tennis courts, a beach and an off leash area. History source