Mission Creek Greenway

Features and Things To Do:

Mission Creek Greenway is a green corridor and linear trail that runs 16.5 kilometres along Mission Creek connecting park space, interpretive viewing areas and rest spots as well as providing natural areas for wildlife. 

The Greenway is a mecca for lovers of the outdoors year round. Each day more than 1,000 people use the trails for walking, running, biking, and horseback riding. Phase 1 is a 7.5 kilometre universal access trail (Click to view Phase 1 Trail Guide) while Phase 2 is more rugged (Phase 2 Trail Guide).  This 9 kilometre section of the trail includes steeper terrain with switchbacks, narrower trails and looser footing than the flat, hard-packed surface along Phase 1.  The Phase 2 trail climbs in and out of the creek canyon twice with significant elevation change, so be prepared and enjoy the journey!

Programs are available by donation for school and community groups who'd like to learn about our local environment and cultural history.

History:

Mission Creek has always been an integral part of our community. Before the arrival of European settlers, the creek was used by First Nations people for their traditional fisheries.

The creek meandered down from the Greystoke Mountains in a series of oxbows and each year camps were erected next to the creek so the Kokanee salmon could be harvested and preserved for the winter.

In the nineteenth century European settlers came to the area and the city, as we know it, and settled along the creek banks at the Father Pandosy Mission. Homesteads were built in the Mission area and the first farms were planted in the fertile soils next to the creek.

As more settlers came to stay in the area permanently, the seasonal flooding of the creek was viewed as problematic. Mission Creek was dyked and its water used for systems of irrigation and later drinking water. The creek still supplies water for Rutland Water Works, Black Mountain Irrigation District and South East Kelowna Irrigation District. Further dyking completed in the 1950s straightened and deepened the creek channel giving it the shape it is today.

For many years the residents of the Okanagan have used sections of the dyke along Mission Creek for recreation and appreciate the creek corridor. Only parts of the dyke were accessible to the public since much of the land was held as private property. Through the work of the Friends of Mission Creek and funds from the community the public can now enjoy the whole of Mission Creek.

General Information:

The Greenway was built as a project of the Friends of Mission Creek Society, in partnership with the Regional District of Central Okanagan, the City of Kelowna, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Westbank First Nation and the Central Okanagan Foundation. It is now operated and maintained by the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

Many companies and volunteers donated time, money and land to the construction of Phases One and Two.  Phase One extends from Lakeshore Road to Ziprick Road, a distance of 7.3 kilometres.  Phase Two, which opened on May 1st, 2005, adds another 9.2 kilometres to the trail, into Scenic Canyon Regional Park.   Phase Two features a wetland boardwalk, three bridges and spectacular views of Gallagher's Canyon and Layer Cake Mountain.

A further 6 kilometers of Phase Three is in the planning stages and will run from KLO Creek to Mission Creek Falls.

When on the trail ensure you have appropriate clothing, footwear and equipment for hiking the trails.

Dogs must be kept on a leash within park boundaries and owners should clean up after their pets. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails. Overnight camping, open fires and smoking are not permitted.

Help protect park vegetation by using only designated trails. Leave only footprints and take only pictures.

Directions:

Access to the Greenway is at Lakeshore Drive, Gordon Drive (parking in the Mission Sportsfield), Casorso, KLO Road, Springfield Road at Durnin Road, Ziprick Road (parking area), Graham Road, Gerstmar Road (parking area), Tamarack Drive, Creek Street, Hollywood Road, Pasadena Road, East Kelowna Road, Hollywood Road south Trailhead and parking area and in Scenic Canyon Regional Park (parking lot off Field Road).