L-R: Brett Bandy (City of Vernon), Akbal Mund (Chair of Greater Vernon Advisory Committee), Mayor Victor Cumming (City of Vernon), Harold Sellers (Ribbons of Green Trails Society), and Brad Akerman (Regional District of North Okanagan) are standing near the newly dedicated park space and trail connection for the Grey Canal Trail. (Submitted photo/City of Vernon)

By Pete McIntyre

new connection

Land deal allows for Grey Canal Trail extension

Dec 16, 2021 | 2:44 PM

The process is in place to make the Grey Canal Trail a continuous 35-kilometre route to explore by foot, bike, or snowshoe throughout the year

The City of Vernon and the Regional District of North Okanagan have completed a land deal with Westco Properties which includes the dedication of four acres of park land along Davison Road and 3.6 acres of trail right-of-way connecting the Turtle Mountain section with the Bella Vista/Okanagan Hills section of the historic trail (see below).

The park land will be used for a city park and open space while the trail land will be part of the RDNO sub-regional trails network.

Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming said the development of the trail has been a passion project for many community members, local government representatives, and avid local trail users for nearly 20 years.

“This agreement makes way for a significant trail connection to be made from Bella Vista neighbourhoods to Turtle Mountain, and beyond,” Cumming stated.

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The city said the land for the extension was one of the last remaining privately-owned portions along the route between Okanagan Hills Blvd. and Coldstream Valley Estates, making it possible for a continuous 35-kilometre trail if all the connections are able to be made.

Akbal Mund, chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee said earlier this year they received a $110,000 grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association to develop this section of the trail and install interpretive signage.

“Now that we have attained ownership, we can put the grant to use and begin trail development in the spring of 2022,” said Mund.

The City of Vernon worked with Westco Properties and RDNO, through the official community plan, rezoning and subdivision process to help facilitate the dedication of the park land and acquisition of the trail connection.

Greg Herfst, owner of Westco Properties, said they are pleased to have given the city and regional district the opportunity to complete this section of the trail and also introduce more park areas within the city.

“We see this as an important part of the overall development plan, which will also include the Tassie Creek walking path and wetlands, ensuring the protection of this environment for future generations,” Herfst remarked.

History of the Grey Canal Trail

The Grey Canal was built by Lord and Lady Aberdeen. In 1905, they began an extensive project to move water from lakes on highlands southeast of Vernon across the Coldstream Valley, and along the benchlands that circles Vernon; Swan Lake to Okanagan Lake. It was completed in 1914, at a cost of $423,000. The Grey Canal played an important role in the subdivision of ranchlands and orchards.

At one time, it supplied water to the largest irrigation district in B.C. It delivered more water than the system that supplied water to the City of Vancouver in 1938. By 1963, rising costs led to replacing ditches with buried pipes, and by 1970, it was no longer in use.

Today, portions of the Grey Canal Trail are used for hiking, biking, horseback riding and snowshoeing. The original route of the Grey Canal is still visible as horizontal lines carved into the hillsides above the valley. As you explore the route, you may discover the remains of the canal and its elaborate system of ditches, pipes and flumes.