Vernon Matters file photo

By Liam Verster

Park Upgrades

Parking and amenities at Kalamalka Lake Park upgraded

Mar 20, 2025 | 9:51 AM

Outdoor enjoyers in the North and Central Okanagan will benefit from provincial investments at two local parks.

The province upgraded amenities at the Kalamlaka Lake Provincial Park in Coldstream along with Sun-Oka Beach Park near Summerland.

“Sun-Oka and Kalamalka Lake showcase some of the best beaches, trails and natural beauty that B.C. has to offer, and we’ve heard they need to be improved as more and more families want to visit,” Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, said.

“As some of the most popular destinations in the Okanagan, we prioritized upgrades to these parks to help people have a more enjoyable experience for many years to come.”

The upgrades were done with an $810,000 investment from the province to address the growing demands for parking and improved accessibility at the parks.

Grass Fire

Fire crews extinguish grass fire in Okanagan Landing Friday

Mar 21, 2025

Transit Enhancements

Coldstream moving ahead with securing nearly $5M for transit enhancements

Mar 21, 2025

2024 Year End Transfers

City of Vernon's year end transfers totals over $759,000

Mar 21, 2025

“BC Parks are a major destination for travellers both locally and worldwide,” Spencer Chandra-Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said.

“With B.C. and the Okanagan home to some of the best parks in the world, investing in upgrades to our provincial parks will make it easier for people to access and enjoy the beautiful scenery that the Okanagan has to offer.”

At Kal Park, 32 new parking spaces were added at the Twin Bays and Cosens Bay lots, including dedicated spaces for horse trailers at Twin Bays, bringing the total parking spots up to 180.

The washroom facilities at the Twin Bays lot was also renovated, with the addition of three accessible pit toilets.

“I know that upgrades to Kalamalka Lake Park are already making a big difference for my community and its visitors,” Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby, said.

“Hikers and bikers, as well as beach-goers and horseback riders, can expect to have a much easier time accessing this fantastic park.”

Shirley Fowler, Chair of the Regional District of North Okanagan’s Board of Directors, added the RDNO was grateful for the park investment.

“These improvements greatly benefit the North Okanagan community and support the RDNO’s priority to foster an inclusive and enjoyable outdoor experience for all,” Fowler said.

“We cherish these spaces and are thrilled to see them cared for and enhanced.”

In the Central Okanagan, the entire 2.3-kilometre trail network at Sun-Oka Beach Park was repaved to improve access to the beach, playground, washrooms and picnic area. Water stations were also replaced.