Image Credit: Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative
May 30, 2021 - 4:30 PM
A fundraising campaign to complete the Okanagan Rail Trail's northern trailhead has received a big boost.
Last year, in the first campaign since the trail was built, trail supporters raised about $75,000 to naturalize the old rail yard as the first phase of trailhead development. The next phase is to finalize design and create a signature trailhead with a plaza gathering space, distinctive gateway feature and interpretive signage, according to a press release from the Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail.
The fundraising campaign to complete the northern trailhead for the Okanagan Rail Trail has received a boost with grants from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative and the Regional District of North Okanagan.
The Okanagan Rail Trail will eventually see gateways in each of the three communities along the 50-km route. The northern gateway in Coldstream is the first to be developed, and will function both as a trailhead and a unique public space close to Kalamalka Beach. The area is connected by pathway to the Coldstream Station parking area on Kalamalka Lake Road, and to the City of Vernon.
“We are very thankful to be awarded a $72,000 Canada Healthy Communities grant administered by the Community Foundations of Canada”, said Laurie Postill with Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail, in the press release. “We particularly appreciate the role of the North Okanagan Community Foundation and the Central Okanagan Foundation, who have been long time partners in developing the rail trail.”
The Regional District of North Okanagan has also provided a $25,650 grant to support ongoing work. The volunteer organization is hoping to raise another $100,000 to complete the trailhead by 2022.
To learn more about the project, visit the Friends of the Okanagan Rail Trail website.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2021