There is a very rewarding lookout at the top of Giant's Head Mountain.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

The trail network at Giant's Head mountain in Summerland is about to get more user-friendly.

The District of Summerland announced today, April 21, that $1,682,782 will be getting spent on phases three and four of the Giant’s Head Mountain Trails Redevelopment project.

Upgrades will see work on the upper circulation road, upper parking lot washroom, and connecting pedestrian trails. The project also includes the construction of the Grind trail’s upper section to reach the top of mountain, as well as Indigenous interpretive signage.

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The project also includes remedial planting and invasive weed management trail erosion control, brush removal and fire hazard remediation work, park road improvements and a new washroom at the park entrance.

Part of the project includes consultation with First Nations communities, the release said.

“Giant’s Head Mountain, located in the heart of Summerland, is a popular attraction for residents and visitors for sightseeing, hiking and recreational biking,” Mayor Toni Boot said in the release. “Investing in protecting the mountain’s environmental values, highlighting the cultural history, and providing access to healthy recreational opportunities aligns with Council’s strategic priorities.”

The federal government is covering the largest share of the $1,682,782 budget by contributing $673,113. The province is chipping in $560,871 while the district is spending $448,798 – 26.7% of the total cost.

“The trail upgrades to Giant’s Head Mountain Park are great news for Summerland and all British Columbians,” Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs, said in the release. “Our government is proud to make investments in outdoor infrastructure that balance recreational opportunities and ecological conservation.”

The first two phases of the project were completed in 2020. There was 2.3 kilometres of new trail built, 5.4 km of trails upgraded, some trails were decommissioned for environmental protection and erosion control, new safety guard rails were installed, improvements were made to the park entrance and road pull outs, and the viewing tubes and wayfinding signage were fixed up.

Those first two phases cost $800,000 and were funded through the Rotary Club of Summerland, the B.C. Rural Dividend Fund and the Canada Community Building Fund.

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