Group Shows Off Potential Park

Photo: Greater Vernon residents take part in a walk around the natural area above the Foothills neighborhood in Vernon, which some residents would like to see turned into a park.

The Foothills Community Association says a proposed park in their area would be for all Greater Vernon — not just their residents.

Wynn Polnicky from the group says 30 park supporters from around the area took part in a walk of the natural area above the developed area of their Vernon neighborhood last weekend.

“The reason why I selected those people to come was to show it’s not just a bunch of selfish, parochial foothillers that want to have a park in their back yard. It’s a place we feel will have value to Greater Vernon,” Polnicky tells Kiss FM.

Polnicky is pushing to have the 48 acres purchased, and used as a sub regional natural park.

He says it would be a good investment for local government.

“It’s less than 1.5 million dollars (his estimate for the land currently owned by three different private owners). That’s a lot of money, but not compared to many other things that Greater Vernon and the City of Vernon do.”

Polnicky says he’s been working on the idea for a decade, and if the regional district doesn’t want to buy the land, he will pursue it with Vernon.

“My fear is that if it ends up being with the City of Vernon alone, it will be smaller and less expansive than what we envision it being.”

Polnicky says the association will be at the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee meeting Nov. 2 when the committee will respond to the group’s presentation.

“I’m going to try and have all the seats filled there so they know there’s lots of interest in having a park there.”