CANADA-BC GRANT HELPS BUILD OUT ACCESS TO REGIONAL PARK
Black Mountain - sntsk‘il’ntən Regional Park will become more accessible, thanks to a large infrastructure grant.
Under the Canada-BC Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, the two senior governments will contribute almost $715,000 towards new features in the 640-hectare regional park. The Park protects cultural assets as well as a unique Okanagan grassland habitat.
The federal government is contributing $390,000; the BC government $324,967, while the Regional District of Central Okanagan will provide $260,033 for a project that will build community inclusiveness, stewardship and connectivity within the regional park.
RDCO Chair Gail Given says “This is an exciting investment in our community and the largest of our 30 regional parks. The funds will help us realize one of the Regional Board’s Strategic Priorities to provide residents with greater opportunities to connect with nature in the Central Okanagan.”
Westbank First Nation Chief Chris Derickson says “lim ləmt, thank you, to both levels of government for investing in our culturally significant sntsk‘il’ntən Regional Park, including, as part of the Regional Park Management Plan, improved access, safety, and information for its visitors. As stewards of the land, protecting areas of environmental and cultural significance is crucial to ensuring that these lands remain intact for future generations to visit, appreciate, and learn from.”
The Regional District and Westbank First Nation co-manage the protected 640-hectare regional park which is a significant cultural, historic and geographic namesake landmark. It’s home to at least nine endangered or threatened species and ecological communities including grassland, open Ponderosa pine and grassland savanna. The park is vital to the syilx/Okanagan people for its wide variety of animals, plants and medicines along with resources for tool making found in the area. In nsyilxcín (in-SEALK-chin - Okanagan language), sntsk‘il’ntən (sins–te– KEEL–ten) translates to “the place where arrowheads/flint rock is found”.
The funds will be used to build three, new multi-use trails including one leading to the summit of Black Mountain. In addition, important park amenities will be constructed:
•washrooms
•parking areas at Joe Rich Road and Pyman Road
•information and kiosk signage
•guard rail fences
The work is anticipated to begin this fall and be completed by summer 2022.
It’s expected an official park opening will take place this fall and while work in the park is still underway, some of the park is open now. The current temporary access to Black Mountain - sntsk‘il’ntən Regional Park is through an off-street parking area on Tower Ranch Drive and the City of Kelowna Tower Ranch Mountain park. The Swainson Road access is currently closed while the Black Mountain Irrigation District installs a new water main. Residents are asked to stay on the trail so natural areas are not disturbed.
Source: https://www.regionaldistrict.com/media/289789/BlackMtnGrant_Aug20.pdf