Cyclists on the Okanagan Rail Trail summer 2018.

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - An Okanagan Rail Trail parking lot in Vernon will start getting an upgrade next month.

The Regional District of North Okanagan says in a media release it will start construction on the parking lot at Westkal Road in Coldstream in August. Access to the trail will remain available throughout construction.

The regional district says the upgrades will include increased safety and mitigation of exposed slopes and erosion and include the paving of the parking area. Included in these upgrades is a designated walking path taking people from their vehicles to the trail entrance. The district says the upgrades will make the trail access points are better defined and clearly visible.

"We recognize that this is a busy parking area for trail users, and will try to make these upgrades cause as little disruption as possible. We will maintain access to the Okanagan Rail Trail throughout the project and are encouraging people to try out other access points," Regional District North Okanagan general manager of community services Mike Fox said in the release.

The regional district is recommending people wanting to park near the trail use the 16506 Kalamalka Road parking lot or the Bailey Road parking lot and then use the connection between the Kal Crystal Waters trail and the Okanagan Rail Trail. Users of this parking lot should note the slope is slightly steeper and take this into consideration when planning their trip.

Once the WestKal Road parking lot is completed the north extension of the Okanagan Rail Trail will begin.

Check out the interactive map below for trail options or www.okanaganrailtrail.ca to see parking options.

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