2025
RDOS staff are exploring options to repair, resurface, and add pickleball courts to the existing sports court area.
Project Location
Pioneer Park located at 201 Ponderosa Avenue in Electoral Area "I" (Kaldeden).
Project Background
Pioneer Park, established at the site of an old packing plant, is a popular lakefront amenity in Kaleden. The park is a popular gathering place for residents and visitors and offers many year-round facilities and activities from beach access, a boat launch, and tennis courts in the summer to a temporary ice rink in the winter (weather dependent) and picnic areas with tables during all seasons.
In recent years, the community has expressed interest in further enhancing the park and its amenities. As a result, in 2017 the Regional District facilitated a planning project that generated a community-informed concept plan. From that concept plan, detailed design efforts have been carried out over the last couple of years with the intent of converting the concept into reality. The result of these design efforts is a multi-phased development plan that continues through 2025.
2022 - 2024
Phase 3a - Shoreline Planting (completed fall 2024)
Strategic planting of native riparian shrubs and trees to complete the shoreline enhancements.
Phase 3 - Shoreline Enhancements (completed fall 2024)
Pioneer Park was constructed on the former location of a packing plant. Much of the lakefront is "fill", which has created an unsustainable shoreline that does not promote recreation or natural riparian habitat. Ongoing wave action along the foreshore adjacent to Pioneer Park has eroded portions of the non-native manicured grass areas, creating lake/beach accessibility hindrances.
A permit to conduct lakeshore enhancement upgrades was issued by the province and this work is being carried out in accordance with all environmental regulations and prescribed timelines.
The planned work, restorative in nature established a riparian area for aquatic and terrestrial life while creating sandy beach areas for park-goers to enjoy. Environmental approvals, detailed landscape design, and onsite work completed..
Lakeshore enhancements, which included non-native soil material removal and erosion protection structure installations were completed in May 2024 to create a more user-friendly and natural shoreline.
Phase 2b - Irrigation and Landscape Upgrades (completed spring 2024)
The completion of Phase 2 work included the installation of a new irrigation system within a portion of the park, as well as new sod/turf, seeding of certain areas, and other landscaping.
Phase 2a - Pathways and Accessibility (completed spring 2024)
This phase of the project, which was partially grant-funded, focused on upgrades to the pathway system, which has improved accessibility to the park and its facilities. This work was completed in January 2024.
Grant funding was secured to improve park accessibility. Subrina Monteith, Electoral Area “I” Director with support from the Kaleden Parks and Recreation Commission and RDOS staff, developed plans to upgrade and improve additional park features and amenities.
“Upgrading amenities and improving accessibility are important steps to ensuring the community can enjoy Pioneer Park for years to come,” said Subrina Monteith, Electoral Area “I” Director
Phase I - Septic System Replacement (completed 2023)
The Regional District completed the replacement of the aging septic system infrastructure and the removal of the concrete pad adjacent to the washroom building in early 2023.
