‘Volunteers In Parks’

If you’re a people person and a regular visitor to our Regional Parks, you may want to consider becoming a VIP Trail Patroller.

Find out how you can become involved in the Volunteers in Parks program at an Information meeting Wednesday, April 2 starting at 7 p.m. in the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan located in Mission Creek Regional Park, Springfield and Durnin Roads

This program is great for people who like being outdoors and like to learn and share interesting information about our regional parks as a park ambassador. Our VIP Trail Patrollers will be additional eyes and ears in our parks, providing Parks staff with information to help them maintain trails and facilities so that all people have the best experience possible every time they visit a Regional Park.

Training, identification and other materials will be provided for successful applicants who must be at least 19 years of age and willing to commit to visit a regional park at least once a week.

For more information on the April 2 meeting or the VIP Trail Patroller program visit regionaldistrict.com/parksVIP or drop-in or call the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Immediate    
End date:   Wednesday, June 25 – 8 a.m.

‘Spring Tracks Walking Club’

It’s time to sign up for the free ‘Spring Tracks Walking Club’ that gets you outside and active.

The beginner walking program starts April 7 and runs Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. (no walk Victoria Day May 19).  Club members and our walking leader will start with a 15-minute walk along the Mission Creek Greenway and in Mission Creek Regional Park gradually increasing the duration of their walks to 90 minutes by the end of the 12 week program.

Members also receive a walking journal, walking tips, seminars and motivational tips to keep them moving.  ‘Tracks’ is a registered Hearts in Motion Walking Club with the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.

There’s no charge to join but please register by either dropping in to the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan, email eeco@cord.bc.ca or phone 250-469-6139.

For more information about this or other Regional Park programs please visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Wednesday, March 26    
End date:   Tuesday, June 24 – 9 a.m.

‘Story Time at the EECO’

Here’s a weekly activity that will get three to five year old children moving, learning and playing.

Starting April 1 ‘Story Time at the EECO’ takes place each Tuesday 10 a.m. in the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan located in Mission Creek Regional Park, Springfield and Durnin Roads.  The program wraps up on June 24.

It’s a free one-hour drop-in program for children aged three to five and their caregivers and features nature-themed stories and songs followed by an art or craft project. The program is an excellent way for younger children to play while learning more about the natural world.

For more information about this or other Regional Parks programs or events please visit regionaldistrict.com/parks, drop-in or call the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Monday, March 31     
End date:   Friday, May 9th  – 4 p.m.

‘Families in Parks’

Help celebrate the 40th anniversary of our fantastic Central Okanagan regional park system by joining our ‘Families in Parks’ activities in April and May.

These free, outings with our park interpretation staff run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and are designed so that every member of your family can take part!  There’s no cost to take part but please pre-register by either dropping in to the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan, email eeco@cord.bc.ca or phone 250-469-6139.

-  Saturday, April 12 head out on a treasure hunt!  Find some special hidden stashes as we learn ‘Geocaching in Rose Valley Regional Park’.  Participants will meet at the Westlake Road north parking lot.
-  Saturday, May 10 our parks staff will lead your family on a ‘Frog Search at Mission Creek Regional Park’.

For more information about this or other Regional Park programs please visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  Friday, April 25    
End date:   Sunday, June 15 –  1 p.m.

‘Go Fish’ in a Regional Park

The ‘Go Fish’ program returns this spring at two easy to access regional park locations!

On Saturday, May 3, ‘Go Fish’ kicks off at the Hall Road pond in Mission Creek Regional Park and then Sunday, May 4 the action moves to the special fishing area in Shannon Lake Regional Park.  The program then runs each weekend until June 16, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the two locations.

The program offers youth age 15 and under, a chance to catch one rainbow trout each day without a fishing license.  A limited number of rods, reels and bait will be available each weekend for youngsters to use and try their luck!

Participants are reminded to please respect our park neighbours by parking only in the designated areas and not to block any driveways.

‘Go Fish’ is being offered once again with the generous support of the Peachland Sportsmen’s Association, Lonely Loon Flyfishers Society, Kelowna and District Fish and Game Club along with the Ministry of Environment, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and the Summerland Trout Hatchery.

For more information about this or other Regional Park programs please visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Start date:  May 1      
End date:   Wednesday, May 14  – 4 p.m.

‘Take a Hike’

You’re invited to take part a series of interpretive hikes in different Central Okanagan Regional Parks.

The ‘Take a Hike’ program kicks off a new season with ‘A Yoga Hike’ at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 15 in Rose Valley Regional Park.   This two to three hour guided outing combines the strengthening benefits of Yoga with Cardio-challenges as there are some elevation changes throughout the park.  Participants will meet at the Westlake Road north parking lot in West Kelowna.  Our Regional Parks Interpreter will also point out the unique and interesting features within the park.

Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing, footwear and bring their own yoga mat and water.

Please pre-register for this free program at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan by emailing eeco@cord.bc.ca or call 250-469-6139.

Once again this year, each hike is being held in conjunction with the Community Recreational Initiatives Society or CRIS, providing barrier-free access to our Regional Parks.  Learn more about CRIS and request their services for these hikes at www.AdaptiveAdventures.ca

For more information on our other hikes or any of our Regional Parks programs visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO staff at 250-469-6140 or email eeco@cord.bc.ca.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014