Coldstream Ranchlands (Photo courtesy of RDNO)

By Pete McIntyre

Passive recreation

Coldstream Ranchlands park plan before local politicians

Sep 11, 2023 | 5:00 AM

The Coldstream Ranchlands are being looked at for future trail and park amenities in Greater Vernon.

A development plan for the Ranchlands was presented to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) at their meeting Sept. 6, with the next step expected to be public and stakeholder engagement.

Coldstream Ranchlands is comprised of three parcels owned by the Regional District of North Okanagan on a south west-facing slope above Buchanan Road in Coldstream. The site encompasses 126.5 hectares of natural area.

“The recreation potential for this area of interest is being considered as part of the long-term planning process in the Greater Vernon Trails and Natural Spaces Master Plan 2022 – 2032,” a staff report to GVAC stated.

“The scope of the Coldstream Ranchlands Development Plan is to look at the options for trail and park amenities that would make the best use of the natural area and meet the objective of conservation with passive recreation as defined in the GVTNS Master Plan.”

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The RDNO staff report noted there are a few factors that limit the development potential of the property:

• The majority of the interior portion of the property is designated ALR
• The public access right-of-way is designated non-motorized
• Parking is limited to a District of Coldstream road right-of-way
• The property is designated as medium to high conservation value

One possibility is a nature trail on the site.

“While the vast majority of the park would remain in its natural state, proposed park improvements include a 6.9 km looping nature trail that preserves the high value conservation areas within the park and minimizes impacts the long-term agricultural viability of the property,” the report said.

The plan also details potential parking solutions on Ravine Drive that will need the District of Coldstream’s approval, access points, arterial connections to the Grey Canal Trail, future connections to the multi-use trail network, and trailhead amenities such as garbage receptacles and dog bag dispensers.