Kelowna city hall wants to know what you think about its plans to improve Boyce-Gyro Park in the Mission area of the city.
Residents are invited to review the concept design for upgrades to the lakefront park, including a permanent parking lot, safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians and a new access road that will allow for the closure of Watt Road at Lakeshore Road.
The open house is scheduled today (May 18) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the gravel parking lot at the park. A tent will be set up in case of inclement weather.)
Improvements proposed for this year will see the south portion of a city-owned property at 3326 Lakeshore Road turned into a permanent parking lot with approximately 132 parking spaces and an informal drop-off area for the park.
“The way the parking stalls will be laid out on the new lot will be much more efficient than on the current temporary gravel lot, which means we will be able to fit more cars into a smaller area,” said Lindsay Clement, park and landscape planner with the city.
The property is also being subdivided, with the north portion sold to establish a residential and commercial mixed-use development. Proceeds from the sale will be used by the city to pay creation of the new parking lot and other park improvements. The city says the plan will mean minimal use of taxation funding.
The additional parking stalls will allow for the reclamation of the existing gravel parking lot—currently located in the centre of the park property (across from Swordy Road)—and expansion of recreational amenities for volleyball and table tennis.
A new access road will be built between the new parking lot and the future mixed-use development. The closure of Watt Road at Lakeshore Road will improve vehicle access to the park, as well as safer cycling and pedestrian routes, says city hall.