Work vehicles and heavy machinery at Vernon Creek in Polson park (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Creek Naturalization Project

Vernon Creek Naturalization project moving along, celebration goes Friday

Jul 16, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The work at the creek in Polson Park has made some progress.

A city staff report says crews began work for Phase 2 of the Vernon Creek Naturalization project in June, and have since removed sluice gates and trees, brought in and installed a heavy-equipment bridge, and demolished concrete in the area.

Crews have unable to do any of the work in the waterway due to federal regulations, but that work which will see the banks reinforced and the creek widened to reduce future flood risks, and restore the habitat with native species and areas for fish to spawn, will begin at the end of July.

The report said the work remains on time and on budget, with the goal of having it done by November.

The report was presented to Vernon City Council at the regular meeting Monday, July 14, during which Councillor Kari Gares brought up the fact that the bridge installed in the park as part of Phase 1 of the project had rusted, and was reportedly transferring to people’s clothing.

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Staff told council they had decided to use a metal that would rust initially but that would become a finish and should not cause those issues in the future once set. It was noted that going with this style instead of a painted metal was a cost-saving decision.

The rusty bridge over Vernon Creek in Polson Park (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

Following the meeting, Mayor Victor Cumming said the trees and shrubs planted in the first phase of the project were “greening up,” and noting that a community celebration to mark the final stage of the project will be held Friday, July 18.

“Party in the Park, starting at 3:30 Friday afternoon, come and be around the music [and activities] on into the evening,” the Mayor told Vernon Matters, noting this event was supposed to go in June but was delayed due to the weather.

“We had a Thunderstorm Warning and the clouds rolled in and started pour on everything, so we thought ‘No, we can’t have a community event in the pouring rain.'”