parks

Left to right – Jok (younger brother to Fee), Quentin (Fee’s son), Fee (older brother to Jok), May (Jok’s daughter) and Henry (Fee’s son). (Contributed)

Westside founding family donates temporary parkland to West Kelowna

The Mar family has a long history in the Central Okanagan

 

Andrew Frederick spent his COVID-19 time off school cleaning up his neighbourhood Girouard Park, which is being expanded. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)

Vernon’s Girouard Park gets more play space

1.3 acres of land to be added to Harwood area park

 

People stay physically distanced as they take part in a outdoor dance class in a park in Montreal on June 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Park use in Canada soared during COVID, creating challenges for cities, survey finds

Cities report extra costs during the pandemic due to increased maintenance and staffing

 

The Site C Dam location is seen along the Peace River in Fort St. John, B.C., Tuesday, April 18, 2017. A United Nations agency says Canada’s largest national park is now so threatened that it could likely be placed on the list of World Heritage sites in danger. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Alberta’s Wood Buffalo National Park nears endangered status

UNESCO says industry, poor governance ‘likely’ endanger Canadian World Heritage site

The Site C Dam location is seen along the Peace River in Fort St. John, B.C., Tuesday, April 18, 2017. A United Nations agency says Canada’s largest national park is now so threatened that it could likely be placed on the list of World Heritage sites in danger. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The new Civic Memorial Park will incorporate pieces of the 80-year-old arena it replaces. (Artists rendering)

Pieces of Civic Arena reclaimed for new Vernon park

City centre space to incorporate wood from the historic arena

The new Civic Memorial Park will incorporate pieces of the 80-year-old arena it replaces. (Artists rendering)
Seven Black Locust trees at Okanagan Centre Park and Museum will need to be removed after sustaining damage in the Jan. 13, 2021, windstorm. (District of Lake Country - Facebook)

Public opinion at play for Okanagan Centre park upgrades

Washrooms, accessibility and picnic area improvements for Lake Country park

Seven Black Locust trees at Okanagan Centre Park and Museum will need to be removed after sustaining damage in the Jan. 13, 2021, windstorm. (District of Lake Country - Facebook)
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy plans to add a bike park and trail upgrades to Ellison Provincial Park, with a request for proposals open until May 18, 2021. (BC Parks photo)

Hoped-for expansion of Vernon provincial park falls through, but upgrades on the way

Meanwhile, MLA Sandhu says the province is working to enhance public parks, including Ellison Park

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy plans to add a bike park and trail upgrades to Ellison Provincial Park, with a request for proposals open until May 18, 2021. (BC Parks photo)
Hikers are still able to climb to the top of Giant’s Head Mountain in Summerland, but the paved road to the upper parking lot will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon and all day on Sundays. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Summerland park partially closed to vehicle traffic

Giant’s Head Mountain Park gates will be closed to cars until noon

Hikers are still able to climb to the top of Giant’s Head Mountain in Summerland, but the paved road to the upper parking lot will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon and all day on Sundays. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
The Regional District of North Okanagan is ready to work with community partners to offer new and past-favourite outdoor recreation programs to Lumby and Cherryville residents, including programs at the Lumby Pool. (Facebook photo)

Recreation programs sought for Lumby/Cherrville residents

Regional District of North Okanagan puts out call for community partners

The Regional District of North Okanagan is ready to work with community partners to offer new and past-favourite outdoor recreation programs to Lumby and Cherryville residents, including programs at the Lumby Pool. (Facebook photo)
A racial slur was discovered painted on a piece of playground equipment, and a derogatory four-word saying was found spray-painted on the outside wall of the washroom facility, at Kin Beach Sunday, March 14. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Racial slur painted on Vernon playground

The slur and a four-word derogatory statement found painted at Kin Beach in Okanagan Landing

A racial slur was discovered painted on a piece of playground equipment, and a derogatory four-word saying was found spray-painted on the outside wall of the washroom facility, at Kin Beach Sunday, March 14. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Where the Dude Chilling Park sign used to live. (Cara McKenna/Twitter)

Famous Dude Chilling Park sign stolen again in East Vancouver

The Parks Board will replace the apparently popular sign for at least the third time

Where the Dude Chilling Park sign used to live. (Cara McKenna/Twitter)
A ditch marks the Canada-U.S. border and separates people walking on the road, right, in Surrey, British Columbia, and those gathered at Peace Arch Historical State Park, left, in Blaine, Wash., Sunday, July 5, 2020. Although the B.C. government closed the Canadian side of the park in June due to concerns about crowding and COVID-19, people are still able to meet in the U.S. park due to a treaty signed in 1814 that allows citizens of Canada and the U.S. to unite in the park without technically crossing any border. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

B.C. premier says calling for closure of Peace Arch State Park a federal responsibility

Horgan said he would ‘take action’ if Canada-U.S. border park is flagged as problem by PHO

A ditch marks the Canada-U.S. border and separates people walking on the road, right, in Surrey, British Columbia, and those gathered at Peace Arch Historical State Park, left, in Blaine, Wash., Sunday, July 5, 2020. Although the B.C. government closed the Canadian side of the park in June due to concerns about crowding and COVID-19, people are still able to meet in the U.S. park due to a treaty signed in 1814 that allows citizens of Canada and the U.S. to unite in the park without technically crossing any border. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
The District of Lake Country wants to hear from residents about proposed changes to its Parks Development Cost Charges. (File photo)

Lake Country looks at amending Parks DCCs

District would like to hear from residents about proposed changes to Parks Development Cost Charges

The District of Lake Country wants to hear from residents about proposed changes to its Parks Development Cost Charges. (File photo)
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe

Into The Wild With Writer George Mercer

A passion for parks sets the backdrop for novel series

  • Jan 6, 2021
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe
Linear Park’s wide, paved walkway is used by many, including bicyclists, dogs, walkers and runners. (Morning Star file photo)

North Okanagan park pup approved

Letter from Lexxi the Labradoodle

Linear Park’s wide, paved walkway is used by many, including bicyclists, dogs, walkers and runners. (Morning Star file photo)
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has been among the groups lobbying the province to buy 234 acres of Okanagan Lake shoreline on Cameron Road for further recreational pursuits. (Colliers International photo)

Vernon mayor hints at province’s interest in Chelsea Estate lands

Council, other local groups have been lobbying for the purchase of the lakefront property since June

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has been among the groups lobbying the province to buy 234 acres of Okanagan Lake shoreline on Cameron Road for further recreational pursuits. (Colliers International photo)
The cycling and pedestrian trail in Polson Park is closed for upgrades Thursday, Nov. 5. (City of Vernon photo)

North Okanagan trail closed for upgrades in Polson Park

Pedestrian and cycling trail nearing completion

The cycling and pedestrian trail in Polson Park is closed for upgrades Thursday, Nov. 5. (City of Vernon photo)
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce continues to encourage the province to buy 234 acres of Okanagan Lake shoreline on Cameron Road for further recreational pursuits. (Colliers International photo)

Vernon chamber continues calls to expand provincial park

Chamber urges province to purchase land adjacent to Ellison Provincial Park

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce continues to encourage the province to buy 234 acres of Okanagan Lake shoreline on Cameron Road for further recreational pursuits. (Colliers International photo)
The first two phases of trail upgrades have been completed in Giant’s Head Mountain Park in Summerland. From left are Coun. Doug Holmes, Lisa Jaager of the Summerland Rotary Club, Linda Van Alphen, MP Dan Albas, MLA Dan Ashton, Mayor Toni Boot, Ellen Walker-Matthews, Tom Matthews and Coun. Marty Van Alphen. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

VIDEO: First phases of upgrades completed at Summerland park

Improvements have been made to Giant’s Head Mountain Park

The first two phases of trail upgrades have been completed in Giant’s Head Mountain Park in Summerland. From left are Coun. Doug Holmes, Lisa Jaager of the Summerland Rotary Club, Linda Van Alphen, MP Dan Albas, MLA Dan Ashton, Mayor Toni Boot, Ellen Walker-Matthews, Tom Matthews and Coun. Marty Van Alphen. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Design concepts released for Oyama Isthmus Park

Design concepts released for Oyama Isthmus Park

District of Lake Country is seeking public feedback on the designs for the stretch of waterfront

Design concepts released for Oyama Isthmus Park