PROJECT UPDATE: Your Feedback Will Help Shape the Future of Area "D" Parks

Thank you to everyone who attended the open houses for the Electoral Area "D" Parks Plan. Your participation and insights have played a crucial role in shaping the conceptual plans for the community's parks.

Complete the Concept Plan Feedback Surveys: Your Voice, Your Parks

To provide your final feedback on conceptual plans, please scroll to the bottom of the webpage where you will find a survey for each park and amenity, that allows you to share your thoughts and contribute to the development of the parks. Completed surveys will be collected until December 22, 2023, after which all information will be consolidated to finalize the conceptual plans.

Thank you for your continued engagement in this important project.

Project Background & Purpose

It is the mission of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) to promote the health and well-being of the greater community, environment, and economy by facilitating recreational opportunities and coordinating the enhancement of the region’s parks, facilities and natural resources now and into the future.

In line with this mission, the RDOS has commissioned the development of a Parks Plan for a group of parks and parkland assets within Electoral Area "D" (Skaha East, Okanagan Falls). The Plan for Electoral Area "D" parks will provide a next-level-scale foundation and compass for the RDOS to direct and guide funding, planning, and upgrading of park assets specific to Electoral Area "D" for the next ten years. The plan will encompass location-specific assessments of current assets, identify user needs and desires specific to the parks and recreational spaces in Area "D", and provide programming and design recommendations at a conceptual design level. The finished Parks Plan will provide the RDOS with a framework to guide the future development of these parks.

Public Engagement: 

The Area "D" Parks Plan will encompass an extensive assessment of existing parks, facilities, and open spaces and will be developed through a collaborative effort involving community members, interested and affected parties, and local officials. Extensive data analysis, public engagement, and professional expertise will be utilized to create a plan that aligns with the community's needs and sustainability goals and enhance the natural and cultural assets of the region.

To facilitate public involvement, and gather additional feedback on the proposed plan, the RDOS will host various public engagement initiatives, including open houses, a survey, and this online engagement page.

The first open house was held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Okanagan Falls Elementary School Gym, 1141 Cedar Street, Okanagan Falls. Residents, park users, and interested parties were invited to attend the open house and provide feedback.

An online survey was available from July to August 4, 2023. Paper copies were also available.

Cedar Street Spit Restoration Project

Separate from the Park Plan, but located within the geographical area of the Park Plan is the Cedar Street Spit Restoration Project which will address the issue of erosion. The final product will be implemented into the final Park Plan Concept Design.

View the article published in Skaha Matters here: Skaha Matters September 2023

About Electoral Area "D"

The RDOS provides direct and indirect services to six municipalities and nine electoral areas in the South Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. It has a geographic area of approximately 10,400 km² and serves 82,000 residents. Electoral Area "D" is situated on the south shore of Skaha Lake in the Okanagan Valley. The valley is the northern extension of the Colorado River basin and forms the only temperate desert in Canada. Electoral Area "D" is comprised of seven unincorporated communities starting on the east side of Skaha Lake and includes Upper Carmi, Heritage Hills, Lakeshore Highlands, Vintage Views, Skaha Estates, Okanagan Falls, and northeast Vaseux Lake.