Demand is increasing for trails and natural spaces

Sep 24, 2020 | 3:03 PM

The Greater Vernon Advisory committee (GVAC) is starting to strategize about meeting the public demand for trails and open spaces. GVAC received an interim staff report Wednesday evening.

More and more people are being attracted to the North Okanagan with gems like Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, BX falls trail, Grey Canal trail and the Okanagan rail trail.

Kalamalka Lake was named as one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes in the world by National Geographic.

“Kal park is overloved during certain times of the year, and we have to manage that love affair,” Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming said. “I think there would be receptivity from the public to add to the park.”

Originally used for grazing cattle, the province purchased the property in September 1975 with the park opening in 1986, in 2008 another 2,223 hectares was protected bringing the footprint to over 3,200 hectares of beaches, natural area, hiking and biking trails.

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“I think there are two types of appetite the public has — small acquisitions next to existing trails and parks and larger purchases of natural spaces,” said Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick.

Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick on trails and open spaces.

The question is how to fund purchases, with options ranging from development cost charges, borrowing or increased taxation.

“If we introduced a parcel tax I don’t think there would be a lot of pushback from the public,” stated Electoral Area C (BX/Silverstar) Director Amanda Shatzko.

The Capital Regional District has a Land Acquisition Fund (LAF) which collects $20 per average residential household a year. The Greater Victoria regional parks system has increased from about 8,400 to 13,000 hectares since the LAF was established in 2000. Public surveys indicate nearly 90 per cent support for the tax.

“Sometimes it’s good to have a war chest so we can react,” Garlick added. “We need long term, short term and partnership strategies.”

The Greater Vernon Trails and Natural Spaces Master Plan consultation process began in August with public engagement sessions. You can submit your input online here.

by Kevin Rothwell

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