No Fires in
Parks
Even though we’re very
early into the fire
season, the Regional
District of Central
Okanagan and member
municipalities ask park
visitors to be aware of
their surroundings. The
fire hazard is rated as
high to extreme
throughout the Central
Okanagan.
Please remember that
campfires are not
allowed in any Regional
District, City of
Kelowna, District of
West Kelowna, District
of Lake Country or
District of Peachland
parks. Residents are
also reminded that
smoking is not allowed
in any Regional District
park or park within the
District of West
Kelowna. Under the
Regional Parks
Regulations Bylaw,
anyone smoking or
causing a fire in a
Regional District park
could face a minimum
$100 fine.
Regional District
Communications
Coordinator Bruce Smith
says, “Worse yet, you
wouldn’t want to be
responsible for
carelessly causing a
fire. Last night thanks
to the quick response
from Kelowna fire
fighters they snuffed
out a barbeque fire in
the Ziprick Road area of
Mission Creek Regional
Park. Last weekend it’s
believed another human
caused fire in Mill
Creek Regional Park was
extinguished thanks to
the fast action of the
Ellison Volunteer Fire
Department.”
People visiting natural
areas within the City,
such as Knox Mountain
Park and Crawford Falls
Park, and parks in other
municipalities are also
asked not to smoke.
Park
users and park
neighbours should be
vigilant; anyone
noticing smoke or fire
in any park should
immediately call 9-1-1
and ask to be connected
to their area fire
department.
Register for
Summer Day Camps
Do you know what your
children will be doing
over the summer
holidays?
Youth aged five through
11 will have a blast
during July and August
as once again the
Regional District offers
another summer of Junior
Naturalist Day Camps.
Trained leaders will
guide budding
naturalists in these
three, four and five day
camps at four different
Regional Parks. They’ll
take part in fun
activities and games,
while learning about
nature and our
environment.
Children and youth aged
five to seven years and
eight to 11 years attend
the camps that operate
weekday mornings from
9:00 am until noon or
afternoons from 1:00 pm
to 4:00 pm. The cost
for a three-day camp is
$60 per child, $80 per
child for a four-day
camp or $100 per child
for the five-day camp.
Also returning this year
is a special three-day
program for parents of
pre-schoolers (3 and 4
year olds) at Mission
Creek Regional Park. It
runs from 9:00 am to
12:00 pm on August 5th,
6th and 7th.
Registration for this
special program is $60.
Please register at the
EECO (Environmental
Education Centre for the
Okanagan) in Mission
Creek Regional Park,
emailing
eeco@cord.bc.ca or
by calling the centre at
250-469-6140.
Program
information and forms
are also available on
the Regional Parks
Youth
Summer Programs page.
For more information
about the Junior
Naturalists Day Camp
program, dates and
locations, check out
‘Your Guide to Regional
Parks’.
It’s available at
municipal offices,
recreation and tourist
info centres from Lake
Country to Peachland.
Boaters Beware
The Regional Parks
Services urges boat
owners to use extreme
caution because of the
shallow water conditions
around some area boat
launches. Before
backing trailers and
boats into the water at
the launches, check that
the water level is deep
enough and you won’t
damage your vehicle,
trailer or boat.
Communications
Coordinator Bruce Smith
says, “Because of the
lower lake levels,
boaters should be aware
that the
Bear Creek Provincial
Park boat launch is
only to be used for
small vessels. Signs
advising of this have
been posted at the
facility. Boaters
should also park in
proper areas and be
courteous when launching
or putting their boat
back on the trailer at
the end of the day.”
The Regional District
provides also provides
boat launches at the
Okanagan Centre Safe
Harbour,
Fintry and
Killiney and these
too may not be suitable
for use by larger boats
and trailers.
Remember as well, if you
are heading out on the
water, to ensure you
have all the required
safety equipment on
board and that the
equipment is in good
operating order.