By Corey Fischer

Beach Busy Despite Being Closed

Jun 27, 2018 | 6:19 AM

A Vernon beach has been busy this summer — even though its officially closed.

City staff are upgrading Hurlburt Park on Okanagan Lake on Eastside Road, removing trees and making the site safer.

Parks planner Susan Abbott says signs banning fires and other activities have been temporarily taken down for the work.

“But now that we’re looking to reopen the park when it has proved safe, those signs will go back up that say, no fires, no camping, no littering.”

An entrance gate will be installed and locked at night.

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The park is expected to be open to the public for six weeks this summer.

Councillor Brian Quiring is concerned about the city’s liability at Hurlburt Park.

The beach is officially closed due to safety upgrades by the city, but Quiring says people continue to use it.

“That park is as well used now as when it was open, so if it’s closed because we’re doing construction, then we should really close it with a fence, a modu-lock fence.”

Quiring feels it’s not enough just to put up a sign that says the park is closed.

The next stage of work will include access and parking improvements, likely in August.

Pictured: Brian Quiring

by Corey Fischer

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