New trails and park expansion celebrated

Users of the Mission Creek Greenway now have access to new trails as part of a park expansion.

The completion of the project was officially celebrated by the Regional District of Central Okanagan today.

“These trails provide opportunities for people to connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of new way-finding signage, trail maps and interpretative information,” said RDCO chair Loyal Wooldridge. “They will also help address water management and slope stabilities issues and prevent erosion which contributes to improved climate resiliency”

The new trails include a 2.3-kilometer addition to the recreational corridor that runs from the KLO Creek Bridge to the Scenic Canyon Regional Park offering outstanding views of Pinnacle Rock and Layercake Mountain.

Trail users will be treated to largely untouched areas of forest which is home to wild animals such as, peregrine falcons, black bears and salmon.

The new 240-metre Pinnacle trail is also now officially open, however, due to ongoing concerns with slope instability, the former Black Bear trail remains closed.

Unfortunately, spring rain landslides in 2017 and 2018 and later COVID-19 protocols restricting group events prevented previous plans to celebrate trail completion.

“We are also belatedly celebrating a quarter century of fundraising work provided by our volunteer partners of the Friends of Mission Creek Society,” added Wooldridge. “Now in its 26th year, the Friends have been dedicated to complete the vision of a linear recreational corridor along Mission Creek. The trail now stretches more than 20 kilometers leaving a lasting legacy for years to come.”

Friends spokesperson Don Knox said they value their partnership with the RDCO and are are excited to see the new trails celebrated at long last.

“We would like to thank our many volunteers and donors and encourage the community to see our beautiful latest expansion,” said Knox.