Park proposal approved

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 05, 2010 6:00 PM

Planning for a new nature park in Greater Vernon has received official approval. On Wednesday, the North Okanagan Regional District board approved development of a park on 140 acres surrounding Rose’s Pond on Commonage Road. “It’s an opportunity to open up a little bit of greenspace,” said director Patrick Nicol. “It’s a really valuable piece of property.” Rose’s Pond has been designated as environmentally significant because it’s home to painted turtles and eared grebe. It is also a migratory stopping point for many bird species. The plan is to construct walking trails and signage informing the public about the natural surroundings. “There will be other properties in the Commonage that may benefit from similar attention,” said Nicol.

However, before development of the park can begin, the Department of National Defence must ensure the property is free of explosives that may have landed there during training exercises in the Second World War. It’s because of the possible unexploded devices that director Wayne Lippert wants a park established instead of people wandering through the area on their own. “The idea is to have a trail so people can walk around safely,” he said.

Opposition to the park has come from Mike Gavinchuk, director for the rural parts of the Commonage. “What are we doing with that property?” he said. “I don’t feel the regional district should be involved at all.” Gavinchuk believes the property — which is leased by the City of Vernon from the government — should be left as is. “It’s not right to spend money on something that’s completely useless,” he said.