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Regional District of Central Okanagan: Nurturing Growth, Fostering Lifestyle
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Local residents and visitors from around the world come here looking for natural areas, trails, heritage features, beaches and other outdoor experiences. Luckily, we've got all that and more in the Regional Parks of the Central Okanagan.

Regional Parks can be found from Peachland in the south to Lake Country in the north. These parks provide experiences through an environmental education centre, heritage museums, beaches, pristine hiking trails, 2 campgrounds and park programs like nature photography.  There really is something for everyone.

Quick facts about the Regional Parks system:

  • There are 29 Regional Parks with more than 1,100 hectares in the Central Okanagan. (Pick A Park Map)

  • Regional Parks are generally larger parks with natural areas that demonstrate important landscapes from our region. Link to Wheelchair Accessible Parks listing

  • They provide opportunities for outdoor activities that will attract people from throughout the Central Okanagan.

  • There are free interpretive programs for schools and community groups offered in most Regional Parks.  View the Parks Newsletter for information!

  • Several parks have heritage buildings or artifacts.

Popular Parks Information Links:

Living Greener in the Central Okanagan
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Regional Parks News:

Rose Valley Regional Park Area Closures

An approximately four hectare section of Rose Valley Regional Park is closed until further notice.

The area has relatively few trails and is located in the more densely forested, steeper terrain above West Kelowna Road.  View Map

The Regional District has posted signs and erected fencing to close this area because there are piles of wood debris that were collected as part of the extensive forest fire fuel modification project conducted throughout a 50-hectare section of the park late last and earlier this year.  For public safety reasons, the Regional District has now closed this section of the park until the collected piles can be disposed of once it is safe to do so and when open burning is again allowed later this year.

Park visitors are asked to obey the area closed signs and trail fencing by staying out of this area.   Increased patrols will be conducted and park users are reminded that failing to stay out of a closed area in a regional park could result in a fine of $500.  Visitors are also reminded that smoking is not allowed within any regional park and violators could face a $100 fine.

In addition, another section of Rose Valley Regional Park may have temporary closures through the fall as BC Wildfire Management crews will be doing fuel modification work.  As their wildfire response duties permit, these crews will be thinning, pruning, spacing and piling debris in a ten-hectare section of the park above Bear Creek Road, off Bowes and Pettman Roads. (View Map)   Please obey any closed trails in this area of the park when crews are working.  This debris will also be burned later this year under safe conditions when open burning is allowed.

For more information visit the Regional District Parks Services webpage regionaldistrict.com/parks, email parks@cord.bc.ca or call 250-469-6232.

Bring the Family and 'Go Fish'

Every weekend through May, youngsters can ‘Go Fish’ at two easily accessible Regional Parks!

Each weekend through Sunday May 27th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, youngsters under the age of 16 will be able to fish for rainbow trout and are allowed to keep one each day, without a fishing licence.   Each Saturday at the Hall Road pond in Mission Creek Regional Park, volunteers from the Kelowna and District Fish and Game Club and Lonely Loons Flyfishers Society will provide equipment and expert fishing guidance while members of the Peachland Sportsmen’s Association will lend their fishing expertise to ‘Go Fish’ participants in the netted area at the south end of Shannon Lake in Shannon Lake Regional Park.  Each Sunday, Regional Parks Services staff will provide equipment and will be available to help youngsters as they try their luck in the two locations.

With the support of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. each fishing area will be stocked with rainbow trout measuring 25 – 30 centimetres that have been reared at the Summerland Trout Hatchery.  For some youngsters the ‘Go Fish’ program may be their first opportunity to experience the lifelong enjoyment of fishing.

Regional District Communications Officer Bruce Smith says, “This is perfect for a family outing in our regional parks.  Many families bring along blankets or lawn chairs and a picnic while the younger members are busy trying to catch a rainbow.  If you plan to join us during the ‘Go Fish’ weekends, please respect our park neighbours by parking only in the designated areas. While participants under age 16 are not required to have a fishing license for this program we ask if possible that they bring their own fishing equipment, since there is a limited number of rods and reels that they may borrow at each site.”

The ‘Go Fish’ recreational fishing program is put on by Regional District Parks Services and its volunteer partners, the Kelowna and District Fish and Game Club, Lonely Loons Flyfishers Society and Peachland Sportsmen’s Association along with the support of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, the Summerland Trout Hatchery and the Ministry of Environment.

Mission Creek Greenway Underpass Closed

High runoff and rising water levels have forced the closure of the Mission Creek Greenway underpass at Casorso Road.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan urges Greenway users to respect the barricades and signs posted at this location along the recreational trail as the underpass will remain closed until waters recede.

Pedestrians and cyclists are asked to use caution and only cross Casorso Road when it is safe.  Motorists are also asked to watch for Greenway users who may be crossing the road in this area while the underpass is closed.

At the present time, Greenway patrons may continue to use the north-side creek underpass at Gordon Drive which remains open.   Please note however, that this too could be subject to closure at any time.

Regional Parks staff is continuing to monitor creek levels along the entire length of the Mission Creek Greenway.  People are reminded that water levels may rise unexpectedly and they, children and pets should stay safely back from creek banks, which may be slippery or subject to erosion from the spring runoff.

Boaters and those using Okanagan Lake boat launches are advised to watch for floating debris that may enter the lake as a result of the runoff.

Check out Discovery Backpacks!

Stop by the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan in Mission Creek Regional Park and sign out a ‘Discovery Backpack’.  The EECO is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Inside you’ll find everything you need to do your own pond study or nature walk in the regional park at Springfield and Durnin Roads.  The ‘Discovery Backpacks’ are a great way to get every member of your family actively involved in learning about our natural surroundings.

For more information visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO staff at 250-469-6140.

Register Now for the Tracks Walking Club

It’s time to sign up for the free ‘Tracks Walking Club’ which sets foot this spring in Mission Creek Regional Park.

The beginner walking program starts April 2nd and runs Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:00 (no walk Easter Monday or Victoria Day).  Club members and our walking leader will start with a 15-minute walk, gradually increasing the duration of their walks along the Mission Creek Greenway and in Mission Creek Regional Park to 90 minutes by the end of the nine 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.

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.

Pick Up 'Your Guide to Regional Parks 2012'

The 2012 edition of ‘Your Guide to Regional Parks’ is now online and hot off the press!

“The eight page colour foldout has all the information you need about our exciting line up of programs and events in our Regional Parks this year,” says Communications Officer Bruce Smith.

“The handy ‘Year at a Glance’” he says, “provides a month by month listing of programs and activities at the EECO located in Mission Creek Regional Park and in many of the Central Okanagan’s 27 other Regional Parks.”   There’s also a colour map showing each Regional Park location and some of the features and amenities that are available.

Smith adds, “With spring break here, parents of youngsters age five to 11 may want to check out the dates, times and registration information for this year’s ‘Nature Detectives Spring Break Camps’ and start thinking about this year’s ‘Summer Nature Camp’ program during July and August.”

The Regional Parks guide also has the details for the ‘Tracks Walking Club’ program which is now a registered Hearts in Motion Walking Club with the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.  It will run for nine weeks during April and May and an additional five weeks in the fall.  You’ll also find information about the popular ‘Go Fish’ program that’s returning this May, offering youngsters a chance to experience the sport in special fishing areas set up in Mission Creek and Shannon Lake Regional Parks.  And then there’s our special interpretive ‘Take a Hike’ program during May, June and July.  Smith says, “This year we’re partnering with the Community Recreational Initiatives Society or CRIS, during our guided hike program”.

The 2012 Regional Parks Guide is available anytime online by visiting regionaldistrict.com/parksguide.  Or you can pick up a copy at the Regional District office (1450 KLO Road), the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan in Mission Creek Regional Park (Springfield and Durnin Roads) and at any local government office, recreation centre or tourist and information offices in the Central Okanagan.

For more information about any Regional Parks programming and our detailed section for Regional Parks, visit regionaldistrict.com/parks or call the EECO at 250-469-6140.

Hunters in the Sky Exhibit at the EECO

Falcons, Hawks and Owls have taken over the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan in Mission Creek Regional Park.

These Okanagan raptors are the key animals featured in the ‘Hunters in the Sky’ exhibit at the EECO.  It features displays and activities focusing on Raptors:  birds that use their exceptionally keen senses to hunt primarily while flying.  The exhibit, which runs through May, helps you investigate what makes these Birds of Prey, different from other birds.  Teachers and community group leaders may also wish to request the popular ‘Owls of the Okanagan’ program and you can book your space by contacting the EECO at 250-469-6140.

The Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan or EECO is located in Mission Creek Regional Park at Springfield and Durnin Roads.  For more information visit the Regional District website regionaldistrict.com/parks or contact the EECO at 250-469-6140 or email eeco@cord.bc.ca

Greenway Users Reminded of Trail Use Etiquette

It’s a great place to take a stroll or a more strenuous run in the shade alongside Mission Creek.  It’s an important corridor used by Central Okanagan cyclists.  It’s also a trail frequented by some local equestrians.

Mission Creek Greenway Regional Park is an extremely popular recreational trail that can find multiple user groups on it at any one time of the day.  In fact, it’s estimated well over a thousand people use the 16.5-kilometer trail each day.  They range from pedestrians walking and care givers out with infants in strollers to joggers getting some exercise; cyclists out for a ride and horse riders from adjacent stables exercising their steeds.

Communications Coordinator Bruce Smith says, “The Greenway is a year round mecca for lovers of the outdoors.  But during the spring, summer and fall months, we see a lot more traffic along the linear trail and just as it is on our roadways with so many multiple users comes the potential for periodic conflicts.  Our goal is to ensure that everyone using the corridor shares the Greenway.”

Parks Services Bylaw Enforcement Officer Blaise Laveay adds, “Everyone using the Greenway and any of the other trails in our Regional Park system should be aware of proper trail etiquette.  Under the Regional Parks Bylaw all dogs must be kept on leash and must stay on designated trails.  Cyclists shouldn’t go faster than ten kilometers an hour along the trail and should keep to the right side of the trail, unless they are passing someone on foot.  They should also give an indication that they are approaching from behind by ringing a bell, honking a horn or simply vocally acknowledging their passing to the left.  So that everyone can share the Greenway, cyclists and pedestrians should yield to horse riders while cyclists should yield to pedestrians.”

Animal owners are reminded to pick up waste deposited along the trail.  All residents should remember that unauthorized motorized vehicles are not allowed along the Greenway.