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Regional District of Central Okanagan: Nurturing Growth, Fostering Lifestyle
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Quick Links Eastside Parks & Recreation

The Eastside boasts two community halls and eight community parks. These include Ellison Heritage School Centre and Joe Rich Hall as well as playgrounds, sports fields, a beach access and more.

We hope you get out and enjoy each the parks and facilities and the opportunities they have to offer.

Eastside Parks & Recreation News:

Community Centre Rentals

The Ellison Heritage School Community Centre and Joe Rich Hall are excellent facilities that are available for rent.  If you  would like more information about either facility, please contact the Parks and Recreation office at 250-469-6232.

Be Bear Aware in Regional Parks

They’re coming back!  Regional District Parks Services staff in Mission Creek Regional Park has received several reports of bear sightings in the park, along the Mission Creek Greenway and in Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park.  Evidence of bear activity has also been found in Bertram Creek, Kalamoir, Glen Canyon and Rose Valley Regional Parks.

Communications Coordinator Bruce Smith says, “As the higher elevation food sources start to decline and fruit crops ripen in the valley below, this is the time of year that we start to receive more reports of bears in some of our Regional Parks.  When we start getting sightings and staff sees evidence of bears in our parks and along trails, we post signs advising all park users of recent bear activity.”

“To reduce your chance of meeting a bear while hiking, it’s recommended that you travel in a group, make noise or carry something that makes noise, such as a bell.”  Smith says, “We’ve already noticed some Kokanee starting to return to Mission Creek.  As we get closer to the fall fish spawning season, it’s not unusual for park visitors to encounter bears along local creeks and rivers, as the fish are a plentiful source of food.  Be aware that bears fishing for food may not hear you over the noise of the creek water. If you see a bear, give it plenty of space and stay well away from it.”

People should respect all bears and anticipate and avoid encounters with them whenever possible.  Bears can be aggressive, especially when defending their food or their cubs.  Bears also have excellent senses of smell and hearing, and better sight than you might believe.  For their safety, dog owners are reminded when in Regional Parks that their pets must be leashed and kept on trails at all times.  Provincial Conservation Officers are advised of the bear sightings and along with Regional Parks staff, monitor the situation in local parks.

As well, residents are reminded to keep any garbage securely stored on their property and please don’t put out your garbage cart until the morning of your regular curbside collection.  That way you’re not tempting bears or other wildlife.

Bear Information Links

British Columbia Conservation Foundation Bear Aware program www.bearaware.bc.ca/index.htm

Ministry of Environment Bear Smart program www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/bearsmart/bearsmintro.html