Millions expected to use Rail Trail

Jun 10, 2019 | 5:45 AM

A local politician feels the north end of the Okanagan Rail Trail could get four million uses, or more, this year.

Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Chair (GVAC) Akbal Mund bases that on the 400,000 uses on the section from Coldstream to Kekuli Bay Provincial Park last September to the end of the year, when the public first started using it.

“That could have been one person going on it 50 times, who knows? It’s the counters that pick up the uses. So if you look at that number, when we were telling people it was closed (for construction), and now that it’s officially open, I’m doing my math. You’re looking at three to four million uses just at this end,” Mund said to Vernon Matters.

Mund said washrooms, interpretive signage and lookout areas are being added to the Regional District of North Okanagan part of the trail, and a new logo has been developed for the recreational facility.

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It’s a logo valley residents are going to become very familiar with.

The brand is in the shape of an “O” representing the Okanagan and an oval train track.

“The graphic elements combine in a cohesive way to signify the connection of communities, environment, history, heritage, and future of the Okanagan Rail Trail,” according to information in a report to GVAC directors.

Mund said the logo will be used on signage along the trail, and for attracting visitors.

“That logo is also used for tourism. The same logo that can be used by Kelowna and Lake Country, so everybody is using the same logo, rather than having five or six different logos by all the groups and stakeholders involved with the trail,” Mund added.

A Rail Trail committee, led by Matt Vader of Kelowna, is overseeing the overall trail governance.

by Pete McIntyre

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