A new trail corridor running through Glen Canyon Regional Park will link Westbank Town Centre with the bottom of Gellatly Road.
(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)
May 16, 2013 - 1:19 PM
It's no Mission Creek Greenway but nestled within Glen Canyon will be a recreational corridor linking two of West Kelowna's major communities.
A continuous one and a half kilometer trail opening in Spring 2016 will connect residents at the bottom of Gellatly road to those up in Glenrosa and Westbank Town Centre through the Glen Valley Canyon.
Thanks to a $1.18 million purchase of nearly 14 acres of scenic parkland by the Regional District for the Central Okanagan, leisure-seeking residents in West Kelowna will be able to enjoy formalized access through the canyon. Up until today, existing trails along Powers Creek up towards the bridge have been private property.
"This is the biggest linear trail that West Kelowna has," District spokesperson Bruce Smith says. He expects the new trail corridor will be hugely popular.
"Because it is a continuous trail and it's linked to Westbank Town Centre park on the north end, the water park, the community garden and off-leash dog park," he says.
"They'll be able to park in the lot up there and then walk all the way down to Gellatly Road and come back."
Parks Services Director Murray Kopp says a second bridge crossing near Brown Road is also a priority.
"There will be a strong desire for people to come down Brown Road and get to the other side of the creek."
Until its opening next year, Kopp says the area will be closed to the public so the district can build the new trail routes.
The district will be issuing a one-day permit so local residents can get a sneak peek at the 15th Annual March for Parks fundraiser coming up Sunday May 26. The march will take visitors on a guided hike starting from Gellatly Nut Farm.
(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)
To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013