Regional Parks growing

The Central Okanagan is the fastest growing region in Canada making additional parkland even more important in our community.

Two new land acquisitions mean there will be more opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors. These key additions  to the Regional Parks system connect neighbourhoods to natural areas and create links for wildlife. 

• A new 10.6-hectare (26.19 acre) property at the end of Whitworth Road has been purchased for $2.2-million. This land will be added to Goats Peak Regional Park. When this area is open later this summer, it will provide legal access from Whitworth Road and a connection to Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park.  This acquisition ensures critical ecosystems, habitat, species at risk and important First Nations values are protected while providing opportunities for planned trail connections.

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada. A contribution of $200,000 was made through the Habitat Stewardship Program.

• A new 4.05-hectare (10 acre) parcel of land at 2605 Hebert Road will be added to Glen Canyon Regional Park.  With a cost of $910,000, the property straddles Powers Creek, and will allow future trail connections and new trail development while protecting key riparian lands. 

During the pandemic, Regional Park visitation has increased as people seek safe, outdoor recreational options.  These land acquisitions will provide more park availability in the future while protecting significant and unique Okanagan ecosystems and wildlife habitat.

The Regional District maintains and operates 30 regional parks and 20 RDCO community parks. Find all the locations at rdco.com/parks.  There are more than 2,100 hectares of parkland available to discover in RDCO parks including 74 kilometres of formal regional park trails for visitors.

Quotes:

RDCO chair Loyal Wooldridge

“Creating connected regional parks are a priority of the RDCO and vital for the wellbeing of all community members. This also safeguards the environment and the cultural significance of traditional lands of the syilx Okanagan people. We are creating an opportunity to honour the true history of these lands while promoting outdoor recreational spaces for the enjoyment of everyone. In addition, this is a way to further support the RDCO and Westbank First Nation Memorandum of Understanding for the Protection and Conservation of Cultural Heritage Sites in all 30 of our Regional Parks.“

West Kelowna mayor Gord Milsom

“These new pieces of land for Goats Peak and Glen Canyon regional parks are great news, especially as more people choose to call our city and the greater Westside home. They provide natural ecosystems and landscapes, plus the spectacular views, for all residents and visitors to the greater Westside to enjoy.”

Westbank First Nation chief Christopher Derickson

“Westbank First Nation and the Regional District have worked closely to safeguard these traditional lands which since time immemorial have held great significance for our people. We are all responsible for ensuring the land remains intact and healthy to support the generations to come.”