Signs point toward Okanagan’s Grey Canal Trail
The Ribbons of Green Trails Society in Vernon has been busy working on sign improvements to the Grey Canal Trail. You can now wander along this popular hiking trail while learning more about its fascinating history. A series of five new interpretive signs have been erected along scenic sections.
You can discover the visionaries who created this gravity-fed irrigation system, and learn when and how the canal was constructed. You can marvel at how water was transported uphill without pumps and realize how the Grey Canal transformed Greater Vernon.
The signs include numerous archival photos, mainly from the Museum of Greater Vernon, which provide stunning glimpses into the past and bring this former irrigation canal to life, says society director Ingrid Neumann who was involved in the sign’s creation.
“As successful applicants of a RDNO Greater Vernon Trails and Natural Spaces grant, 46% of the sign funding was provided through the grant. The rest of the funds were provided as in-kind donations from volunteers,” she said.
“Two local businesses, Tambellini Design Studio and Speed Pro Signs, were hired to create and install the appealing, well-constructed signs.”
Since 2005, the Ribbons of Green Trails Society has been working to create a continuous public hiking trail system along or near the Grey Canal. This 50-kilometre trail comprised of seven different trail sections would cross the North Okanagan valley from Coldstream to Okanagan Lake, allowing users to appreciate the significant contributions made by our predecessors. Several sections of the trail remain to be constructed.
“The Grey Canal Trail is an iconic trail system which showcases Greater Vernon’s new label of ‘Trail Capital of B.C.,’”said Neumann.
“The Regional District of North Okanagan greatly appreciates the volunteer efforts and knowledge the Ribbons of Green Trail Society brought to this project. The stewardship of the trails in Greater Vernon by user groups such as Ribbons of Green really enhances the experience for locals and tourists alike,” said Ian Wilson, RDNO general manager of community services.
The Ribbons of Green website: ribbonsofgreen.ca, has more information, maps, directions, history and photos of the Grey Canal Trail. You can also download a scavenger hunt to explore the Grey Canal route and signs while you appreciate this historical engineering wonder.
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You can support the youth cross-country ski and biathlon team at Telemark Nordic Centre by donating empty beverage containers. Until Oct. 16, drop off your rinsed empties at 3561 Glencoe Rd. in West Kelowna, the home of one of the ski team families. The team will gather there on Oct 16. to sort and organize empties for return.
You can also arrange pickup by texting 250-899-0354 until noon on Oct. 15 and one
of the volunteers will pick them up.
This is the third annual bottle drive and has a $5,000 goal. The team needs help to reach 50,000 bottles/cans/cartons (10 cents from each one).
Express Return It (quick drop-off) continues to be an option year-round at Columbia Bottle Depot, 1936 Kent Rd. (off Spall Road) in Kelowna. Use the general Telemark phone number 250-707-5925 and ensure your empties are in a clear bag. No sorting required: just drop your bags at the kiosk, enter the Telemark telephone number and you are done! Note: this is the only Express location in West Kelowna/Kelowna.
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At Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, early bird pricing on memberships is on now until Oct. 31, said Kevin Dyck, marketing and communications manager.
“A work party is scheduled for Oct. 15. Registrations are open for our adult and youth programming, and selling quickly. Registrations can be made on our website under the ‘services’ tab. Our planned opening day is Nov. 26 although last year we opened in October. So fingers crossed that happens again!”
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Time is running out to lock in the best deal on winter season passes at Silver Star Mountain Resort. Purchase by Oct. 14 to take advantage of early-bird pricing and your last chance to get the interestfree, three-month payment plan available for both individual and family passes.
Early-bird pricing from May 16 to Oct. 14 is $989 for an adult pass; Oct. 15 to 31, it’s $1,139; and as of Nov. 1, it’s $1,589. The popular four-pack is $399 with an additional fifth pass if purchased by Oct. 14: all inclusive, no blackouts, directto-lift.
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“With fruit ripening and salmon spawning in local creeks, this is the time of year that our field staff and visitors to Central Okanagan regional parks start seeing more evidence that bears are around. As reports of their presence rise, we post signs in affected parks identifying that bears may be active in the area,” said RDCO communications officer Bruce Smith.
“Visitors should travel in a group if they can and make some noise when on trails to let bears know you are in the area. Visitors may also encounter bears adding calories by eating the salmon spawning in local creeks and streams. Bears fishing for food may not hear you over the noise of the creek water. If you see a bear, give it plenty of space and stay well away from it.”
Parents should also keep children and pets out of spawning streams to protect the sensitive habitat.
————— Cyclepath Kelowna is getting “very serious” about bike theft in the Okanagan.
“We’ve purchased over $1,000 worth of Project 529 stickers and we’re giving them away for free,” says owner Garry Norkum on the Facebook page.
“Registering your bike with Project 529 Garage is free and fast. It’s also key in getting your bike back if it’s stolen and later recovered. We’ve seen it work! We have picked up recovered e-bikes in Vancouver. We’ve restored bikes stolen, then seized and returned.”
If you want your free sticker (and to improve your odds of getting your bike back if it is stolen), register your bike at project529.com/garage. Then see Cyclepath for a sticker.