Vernon Creek in Polson Park (file photo/Vernon Matters)

By Pete McIntyre

June to November

Work ready to start on Vernon Creek naturalization project in Polson Park

Jun 11, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Parts of Polson Park in Vernon will be off-limits to the public for several months as the City of Vernon embarks on one of its major capital projects of 2024.

Phase 1 of the two-phase Vernon Creek Naturalization Project will start as early as Monday, June 17, and continue until November.

The initiative, which was estimated to cost $3.2 million by city staff in September 2023, will include removing the existing concrete banks along the creek and elongating the channel by meandering it along its current course, and adding natural features such as boulders and ripple pools to improve the fish and spawning habitat.

The new look will also reduce annual flooding issues in that part of the creek.

Phase 1 will focus on the section of creek between Highway 97 and the current duck pond outlet. Phase 2, scheduled for 2025, will continue the naturalization process another 370 metres further downstream.

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The province is providing a $2.53 million grant for the project, which saw cost increases last year and led to a one-year delay.

As part of the first phase, in-stream work will have to be completed within a specific fisheries window to minimize impacts on fish habitats. Prior to the in-stream activities, trees will be removed to allow for grading and channel modification.

About two dozen mature multi-stemmed trees will be taken out.

“To compensate, 160 native trees and a variety of native shrubs will be planted in accordance with regulatory requirements,” a city news release stated.

Work is planned daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a pause over the Canada Day long weekend to accommodate park festivities. The daily work hours could fluctuate as required.

The following is information provided by the City of Vernon on the project:

Community Impact and Mitigation Measures

While the project will significantly benefit the environment and the community in the long term, there will be temporary impacts during construction:

• Park Accessibility: To ensure public safety, the construction area will be fenced off for the duration of Phase 1. This includes the closure of the internal road and the parking lot next to the lawn bowling area. The city is working with user groups to provide additional temporary parking and minimize disruptions.
• Tree Removals: Some trees will need to be removed to facilitate the creek’s naturalization. However, a comprehensive reforestation plan will replace these trees with various native species, ensuring a greener park in the future.
• Site Fencing: Areas of Polson Park will be restricted to the public, closed off by safety fencing. Once substation work has been completed, the safety fencing will be removed and replaced with exclusion fencing. The exclusion fencing will remain in place for an extended period to protect the sensitive riparian area, giving the plants time to establish before the fencing is removed.

Community and Environmental Benefits

The naturalization of Vernon Creek will bring a number of benefits, including:

• Improved Fish Habitat: By adding natural features such as riffle pools and boulders, the project will create spawning habitats for fish species that currently have limited breeding areas within the park.
• Flood Mitigation: Creating a floodplain alongside the creek will help manage seasonal water flows and reduce the risk of flooding in Polson Park. With the removal of concrete banks, and removal of the duck ponds in Phase 2, groundwater will be able to migrate naturally towards the creek, reducing the water table elevations in the park.
• Ecosystem Health: The introduction of native riparian vegetation will enhance biodiversity and create a more resilient ecosystem.
• Increased Usability and Additional Walking Trails: As part of the project, crews will create new multi-use pathways along the south bank of Vernon Creek, connecting the existing multi-use pathway near Highway 97. Nature trails will also be added through the naturalized floodplain creating access to the waters edge.

Future Phases and Long-Term Vision

Following the completion of Phase 1, the city will assess the outcomes and seek necessary permits and funding for Phase 2, anticipated to begin in June 2025. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable and thriving natural environment that enhances Polson Park’s beauty and functionality.

This project, funded in part by a $2.53 million grant from the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Funding Stream of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, aims to enhance the ecological health of Vernon Creek and improve Polson Park’s resilience to flooding.

The city will provide regular updates through the construction period to keep the community informed.

An interactive story map detailing the project’s vision is available on the city’s website Vernon.ca/polsonparkproject.