Civic Memorial Park (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Shade Solutions

More trees, temporary umbrellas to provide shade at Vernon parks

Jul 13, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The City of Vernon is moving ahead with a plan to help provide more shade at to local parks.

At a previous meeting, Vernon City Council asked staff to investigate options for more shade at the Civic Memorial and Lakeview Parks, citing a need for temporary reprieve while trees at the sites grow to adequate sizes. Ideas proposed at that meeting included installing shade structures, planting more trees, and setting up umbrellas.

A city staff report was presented to council Monday, July 14, that provided a plan to plant more mature trees at the parks, and by having pool staff install temporary umbrellas as part of their daily duties at Lakeview Park over the summer months.

The report stated planting large caliper trees was the prefered long-term solution to providing more shade at the parks, though also added partnerships could be made with community groups to obtain umbrellas for the parks. City staff said it would work to develop a planting plan to determine the best locations within the parks to plant the new trees.

It estimated the costs to purchase and plant the trees, and purchase and install the temporary umbrellas, would be $42,000. That funding would be provided through the Prior Year Unexpended Uncommitted Balance Reserve.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Dec 12, 2025

Council received the report and voted unanimously in favour with planting the new trees and having umbrellas installed.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Story updated to include council’s decision