Left to right – West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom, Quentin Marr's wife Ann Marr and son Adrian Marr.
Image Credit: Submitted/ City of West Kelowna
July 26, 2021 - 6:30 PM
A West Kelowna family is being applauded by city council for the many contributions their family has made to the community across several decades. The Mar/Marr family has recently sold a portion of their land to the city for soccer fields and donated land for a walking/bicycling trail that will also be used as a temporary off-leash dog park.
The Mar/Marr family moved to Kelowna from Revelstoke in the late 1920s. Brothers Mar Jok and Marr Fee purchased a 400-acre homestead in the area now known as Rose Valley in the 1950s. They grew asparagus, had a variety of fruit trees and raised domestic animals and birds. They are considered to be one the pioneering families of the Westside.
When farming stopped on the land, the family sold the majority of it for residential development and donations to the community. The youngest son, Quentin, retained the remaining land, which he allowed the community to use and enjoy.
Quentin was active and enjoyed sports and recreation. His dream was that the land always be set aside for recreational use that would benefit community health and provide sports opportunities for youth. Since his passing, his family has honoured his wishes.
The Marr family approached the City to initiate a collaborative partnership towards the establishment of a temporary off-leash dog park and bicycling, jogging and walking area. This park combines undeveloped lands, which the Marr family and the City of West Kelowna own.
“The Marr family has a long history of giving back to this community and this is no exception,” Mayor Gord Milsom said in a news release, July 22.
“Ensuring this section of their family homestead will remain a piece of West Kelowna’s history is a wonderful tribute to a community they have called home for decades. Allowing the public to temporarily use this land creates a large connected park space for walking dogs, sports, biking and more. It is an exceptional way to give back for years to come and carry on the family legacy.”
“The Marr family is pleased to continue our longstanding support and contribution to the Rose Valley community and the City of West Kelowna, through this interim land use partnership with the City, for the residents and their pets to enjoy,” says Quentin’s son Adrian Marr in the July 22 news release.
The parkland is located between McDougall and Westlake Roads, south of Rosewood Drive.
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