Time to explore our regional parks
With the arrival of spring, finally, everyone in the Central Okanagan is encouraged to get outside and explore the fantastic local regional parks.
“We have trails suitable for people of any age, fitness and mobility,” says communications officer Bruce Smith. “And in support of our region’s aging demographic, we’ve created a new booklet: Active Okanagan — Be outside; be involved; be engaged. The 40-page, full-colour publication fits easily into a backpack, and highlights outdoor parks and trails for people of any age.”
The user-friendly Active Okanagan booklet showcases 15 regional parks in every area of the Central Okanagan, he says.
“Each offers easily accessible amenities, activities and opportunities for seniors and people with reduced mobility to get out and enjoy the outdoors. It also has information about our Visitor Services program and the nonprofit Community Recreational Initiatives Society, or CRIS, whose volunteers provide inclusive, accessible recreational opportunities for many of our regional park programs.”
This new age-friendly program compliments efforts undertaken in many regional parks over the past few years to improve accessibility and trail conditions, the addition of wayfinding trail signs, and clearly marked trail elevation and difficulty ratings, he said.
The Active Okanagan guide is available online at regionaldistrict.com/parks, or you can pick up a copy at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan (EECO) in Mission Creek Regional Park, Springfield and Durnin roads in Kelowna, the RDCO office at1450 KLO Rd. and visitor information centres.
The publication is thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Union of BC Municipalities for an Age-friendly Community Planning and Projects program through the Seniors Housing and Supportive Initiative. This assists local governments to prepare for an aging population and create age-friendly communities.
For more information about regional parks programs, including new park tour maps, go to regionaldistrict.com/parks or call the EECO at 250-469-6140.
*** You can listen to Steph Jeavons talk about riding her Honda CRF250 motorcycle (nicknamed Rhonda) on the seven continents at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Penticton Library/Museum meeting room. Admission is by donation ($10 per adult suggested).
Her mission is to be the first Brit to accomplish that solo goal and after two years on the road, she is more than halfway there. You can check out her blog at OneStephBeyond.
*** The BC Interior Sportsman Show is coming back to Kelowna on April 7-9 at the CNC, 4105 Gordon Dr. The show promises the latest and greatest in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation gear with a full lineup of guest speakers, door prizes, exhibitors and activities for the whole family.
There will be fly-casting and flytying demos, a CFMOTO Canada demo track to try out its recreational sports vehicles like ATVs, motorcycles and quads, and archery demos. Speakers include flyfishing guru Brian Chan; Tammy Wood, a finalist on MasterChef Canada who specializes in game cooking; and Megan Hanacek, a finalist from the program Alone on The History Channel. Wood, who is on Cabela’s pro staff and host of Saucey’s Got Game cooking show on Wild TV, has promised to prepare some mouth-watering treats.
“Tammy specializes in exotic meat dishes, so she will be sampling crocodile, kangaroo or something else just as tasty. Megan lived by herself in the wilderness with only 10 items to hunt, fish, fend off predators and secure shelter, fire and water in the Patagonia wilds for 78 days,” said Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown, sportsman show producer.
The show hours are 5-8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for youth and adults with kids 12-and-under free with an adult. Parking is free. Tickets are available online or at the door.
For the full lineup of speakers, activities and door prizes, go to bcinteriorsportsmanshow.com.
*** The Kelowna Canoe and Kayak Club has planned exciting presentations for its April 11 and May 9 meetings, 7:30 p.m. at the May Bennett Wellness Centre, 135 Davie Rd. at Highway 33 in Kelowna.
On April 11, Jim Ongena will discuss the importance of wilderness first-aid and on May 9, new member Dave Prince will talk about Bowron Lakes kayak trips.
“David is planning to kayak Bowron this summer. If you are interested, booking is limited so you need to contact him soon as possible at david@qwiklok.com,” said Paul Stephenson, KCKC president.
Stephenson is also trying to increase the membership base through referrals, asking KCKC members to talk to friends, neighbours and relatives who might be interested in joining the club and referring them to online registration at kckc.ca.
“Email me the name of anyone you refer; if they register before April 1st, your name will be entered in a draw for a $30 cash prize. The draw will take place at the April 11 meeting; you don’t have to be present to win,” he said.
*** If you join in a Wild Walks session, you can learn some secrets and natural features of Central Okanagan regional parks with the promise that a park interpreter will turn an ordinary walk/ bicycle in the park into something extraordinary.
Each Wild Walks outing lasts 90 minutes, is suitable for all ages including families with young children, and they range from easy to moderate in difficulty. Participants should dress for conditions. There is no cost to take part, but you should pre-register.
The next two are at 10 a.m. on April 8 and 1 p.m. on April 13, and explore Mission Creek Greenway by bicycle, discovering some of the unique features of this creekside trail starting at the EECO. If you do not have a bike, contact the EECO to arrange for one.
To save a spot for your family on these free Wild Walks, drop in to the EECO, email eeco@cord.bc.ca or phone 250-469-6139.
These free events are held in conjunction with the Community Recreational Initiatives Society to provide barrier-free access to regional parks. To request the services of CRIS volunteers, go to adaptiveadventures.ca.
*** You can now register for the free spring Tracks Walking Club. This 12-week beginner graduated walking program offers your choice of location on either side of Okanagan Lake.
At 9 a.m. each Monday and Wednesday from April 3 to June 21, participants are walking along the Mission Creek Greenway and in Mission Creek Regional Park. There are no walks on Easter Monday (April 17) or Victoria Day (May 22).
On the Westside, participants will travel around the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park off Whitworth Road in West Kelowna at 9 a.m. from April 4 through June 22.
There’s no cost to sign up and members receive a walking journal, walking tips, seminars and motivational tips that keep them moving. Those at a beginner fitness level are encouraged to take part by gradually increasing their health, stamina and walking duration to 60 minutes.
Tracks is held in partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association Walk and Talk program. To register, drop in to the EECO, email eeco@cord.bc.ca or phone 250-469-6139.
*** The Kamloops Naturalist Club is urging member groups of the Federation of BC Naturalists to help save a species-at-risk, the mountain caribou of Wells Gray Provincial Park. The herd, now reduced to around 120 individuals, is threatened by proposed logging in its critical habitat on the slopes of Trophy Mountain.
The club is circulating petitions prepared by members of the Wells Gray Gateway Protection Society and the Upper Clearwater Referral Group to go to the two senior levels of government.
“Through change.org, we are petitioning the BC government to establish an immediate moratorium on logging near southern Wells Gray Provincial Park in federally designated critical habitat for the survival and recovery of mountain caribou. Our goal is to reach 500,00 signatures.
“A petition to the House of Commons requests a protection order on industrial logging in federally designated Critical Habitat for Caribou in the Clearwater Valley adjacent to southern Wells Gray Park.
“Richard Cannings MP (South Okanagan-West Kootenay) has pledged to present every petition with 25 signatures to Parliament. A petition has already been signed by 40 members of the Kamloops Naturalist Club.
“If any group is up to the challenge, please contact me at theneaves@shaw.ca and I will send you a copy of the petition to print. Time is short . . . logging will start as soon as the snow melts. May the forest be with you!” says the email from the Kamloops club.
J.P. Squire, aka the Ski Sheriff, is an Okanagan Sunday reporter and an avid outdoors enthusiast. His column appears every weekend. You can contact him with your outdoor news at jp.squire@telus.net.