As a result of the rising Okanagan Lake water level and flooding, the Central Okanagan Regional District will close a half-kilometre stretch of shoreline trail in Kalamoir Regional Park on the west side of the lake.
On Sunday morning, fences will go up on the Water Front Trail, just north of the main Collens Hill Road beach area and near the north dog beach at the entrance to the Upper Rim Trail.
Park users and commuters will have to use a detour along an unnamed trail that connects with the Upper Rim Trail, says the regional district in a news release issued Friday afternoon.
Commuting cyclists may choose to use Collens Hill Road as an alternate connection to the Upper Rim Trail. Motorists and cyclists are asked to reduce their speeds along the narrow road and connecting trails. All park users are asked to watch for cyclists and vehicles.
In addition to the trail in Kalamoir Park, the following regional and community parks are also closed until further notice:
• Okanagan Centre Safe Harbour Regional Park on Okanagan Centre Road West in Lake Country
• Glen Canyon Regional Park from the Acorn bridge downstream to the Gellatly Road parking area and from the Constable Neil Bruce entrance upstream to the Covington Crescent entrance at Last Mountain Community Park
• Hardy Falls Regional Park
• Mill Creek Regional Park
• Fintry Community Park Access #1 (boat launch)
• Killiney Beach Community Park – including the boat launch
Residents and visitors are are reminded if they are found within a closed park, they could be fined as much as $500:
“While these parks are closed, the regional district encourages residents to visit many other regional parks that are not affected by flooding and rising waters,” said regional district communications officer Bruce Smith.
He said a list of open parks can be found at regionaldistrict.com/pickapark.
Regional parks staff are monitoring lake and creek levels in all these areas and when safe will be assessing the condition of bridges, trails and other amenities in many parks.
Should conditions change affecting public safety, parks may be closed on short notice said Smith.