With a little planning, some funding and a good working partnership, more is being done in Lake Country to link neighbourhoods to schools and parks.
“There are a lot of young people that walk from the Copperhill and Clearwater neighborhoods to George Elliot Secondary School daily,” said Greg Buchholz, District of Lake Country’s operations manager.
“Having a good system of safe walkways, trails and sidewalks is crucial to our goal of connecting neighbourhoods to schools and parks.
“The Quail Trail now connects about 535 households to the recently updated Lodge Road Transportation Corridor.”
Planning of the trail started as a result of parkland dedication through the townhouse development on Quail Road. Council approved the development of the trail through the development permit process.
The Rotary Club of Lake Country has donated $5,000 and acknowledges the financial support of the Province of B.C.
Buchholz called the Quail Trail a great example of what an effective partnership can accomplish.
Walk Around Lake Country (WALC) volunteers worked along with Rotary, district staff and a number of businesses to make this trail connector project a success.
A new trail-level rail crossing has been arranged through Knighthawk (Kelowna Pacific Railway) to complete this project, and district staff are working to extend a safe walkway from the east end of the new Lodge Road pathway to the rail crossing.
“Local businesses and individuals like Sky High Disposal, Gary Lowe Contracting, Pier Mac, Mark Tarasewich and Ferguson Land Surveying & Geometrics Ltd. also generously contributed to this community project with materials, time, expertise and good value for services and products,” said Elisabeth Dahnert, a WALC member. “The trail looks fabulous and is ready for use.”
Lake Country is a tight-knit community where neighbours know each other and are happy to get involved in projects to enhance the quality of life in the community.
In a press release, the district said “with the active and informed involvement of citizens, the District of Lake Country develops, nurtures and maintains the community’s infrastructure and facilities; and provides services that contribute to a healthy community, a vibrant culture, a strong economy and sustainable environment.
“The District of Lake Country applauds the active participation of our community groups,” said Buchholz.