Regional park updates

Here’s some news boaters have been waiting to hear: Okanagan Centre Safe Harbour Regional Park and its main boat launch will open in a limited capacity on Friday, Aug. 4 in time for the B.C. Day holiday weekend.

Boaters should be aware the amount of parking available will be substantially reduced and should they park along Okanagan Centre Road West, obey posted signage and the District of Lake Country requires that you park completely off the travelled portion of the road, along the shoulder to the right of the white road edge line. Do not park contrary to the flow of traffic.

Following an assessment of the shoreline, parking area and south access road, Regional Parks staff determined this area sustained too much erosion and damage during the historically high Okanagan Lake water levels to be safe for use.

It will require extensive repair and recovery before it will return to full, normal operational use. A recovery plan is being prepared with the hope that much of the work will be funded by the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program.

A number of other Regional District parks remain closed as a result of erosion damage from flooding and record lake water levels or the ongoing extreme fire danger. For your safety, stay out of closed parks. Violators could be fined $500.

Spring Flood Damage Hardy Falls Regional Park

Park area from main entrance to Highway 97 is open. Trail and bridges to falls viewpoint not anticipated to open this year due to extensive damage to the trail and several bridges.

Mill Creek Regional Park

Not anticipated to open this year due to extensive damage to trails, bridges, parking area and access road. A recovery plan is being prepared for submission under the B.C. Disaster Assistance Program.

• Fintry Community Park Access No. 1 (boat launch). Temporary repairs will be done when the water level drops to provide access when it is safe to do so.

• Killiney Beach Community Park, including the boat launch, is not anticipated to open this year due to damage to the dock and erosion of the beach and access road.

Extreme Fire Hazard

• Trepanier Creek Greenway Regional Park • Coldham Regional Park • Glen Canyon Regional Park • Kalamoir Regional Park • Rose Valley Regional Park • Stephens Coyote Regional Park • Scenic Canyon Regional Park • Mission Creek Greenway (Phase 2). Visitors are reminded that smoking and fires of any kind are not allowed in any Regional Park.