Woodhaven Nature Conservancy

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As of February 14, 2007, Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park has been closed until further notice as a result of a potential safety hazard posed by older trees.  The park will re-open when remedial work has been completed and we appreciate your co-operation in staying out of this park.

Features and Things To Do:

Woodhaven has three distinct zones that have different plant life because of its varied location and corresponding climates. To the north is the dry interior zone with its Ponderosa Pine ecosystem. In the west is the wet interior zone with a canopy covering the trails with Black Cottonwood and Western Red Cedar trees. In the south is the creek with thick undergrowth for wildlife seeking shelter.

History:

Woodhaven was slated for development in the early 1970s and survived only through the determination of dedicated naturalists, Jim and Joan Burbridge. The Burbridge's convinced elected officials that the property should be preserved. With support from local residents and conservation groups the decision was made to turn the area into a Regional Park. You will still see several stumps where the first few trees were cut down before the area was preserved.

The Burbridge's continued as resident caretakers and guardians of the park for almost thirty years. Joan Burbridge led interpretive tours through the park and wrote a great field guide called Wildflowers of the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Both Jim and Joan have since passed away but they leave behind a natural legacy for future generations.

General Information:

Woodhaven Nature Conservancy is 8.7 hectares and contains a beautiful trail system through three distinct natural ecosystems. It also includes a historical irrigation flume.

The park was created through the efforts of Jim and Joan Burbridge in raising money from the province, Nature Trust of British Columbia and the Nature Conservancy of Canada to purchase the land. Woodhaven is operated by the Regional Parks department.

There are washroom facilities and a parking lot.

Dogs are not permitted within this conservation area. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails. Overnight camping, open fires and smoking are not permitted.

The park is open during daylight hours year round and Regional Parks Interpretive Programs are available by donation for school and community groups who'd like to learn about our local environment and cultural history.

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

Directions:

Raymer Road in the Mission area of Kelowna. Take Gordon Road south and turn left onto Raymer Road after DeHart. Woodhaven is at the end of the road.