By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
The first look at overhaul plans for the centrepiece of Osoyoos’s parks system was offered to Council earlier this month, showcasing how it will continue to be the community’s heartbeat for generations to come.
Gyro Park has evolved over its existence, becoming a gathering place both for families and residents enjoying a casual day outside, and for concerts and other major functions. Within the Parks and Trails Master Plan, Gyro Park received the biggest spotlight primarily for this reason.
However, the increased attention also addresses the reality that many of the park’s existing facilities are aging and becoming unsuitable to meet the needs of the community at large.
Goals of the plan are to replace infrastructure at the end of its life cycle, improve accessibility, and revitalize the park while maintaining its natural character. As with nearly every other park covered in the Plan, a phased approach to achieving those aims was pitched as the most ideal solution.
The work of this new master plan also builds off of previous initiatives that focused on Gyro Park, including the Osoyoos Waterfront Master Plan from 2007, the Gyro Park Concept Plan of 2013, and the Gyro Park Pier Advancement Study performed in 2015-16.
A timeline for Gyro Park upgrades isn’t set in stone, which Councillor Jim King pointed out, and Davis noted that that was due to the funding sources that Gyro Park would rely on.
“A good chunk of that is going to be from our RMI funding,” Davis said, referring to the Resort Municipality Initiative, “which we’ve already identified in our strategy for next year. Obviously, this year… there were already a couple of things brought forward to Council.”
Gyro Park Master Plan – park event plan.
Some of the more extensive works proposed for Gyro Park include relocating the Seniors Centre and lawn-bowling setup away from their current location and filling the space with more sheltered and open picnic space.
Also proposed is the conversion of the southern tip of Gyro Park to a proper picnic space, and having both a small-event and large-event lawn setup with a new, re-oriented bandshell. The Seniors Centre, it is noted, would have to be replaced in the near future, regardless, with the existing facility being near the end of its lifespan.
These improvements would significantly aid the central portion of Gyro Park, which the plan notes “becomes highly congested during events, with many amphitheatre-based events outgrowing the available space.”
With one key component to Gyro Park being event planning, not only would the park receive a new bandshell that would feature “a distinctive aesthetic that complements the town and surrounding landscape”, but the existing small plaza space would also be transformed into a covered, multi-purpose facility capable of accommodating events, both small and large.
The walls for this facility could be opened or closed depending on weather, and be available as a general public picnic space outside of event times.
The 2015-16 study had indicated that the plaza is suitable for vendor use, though that isn’t an opportunity that the Town has often taken advantage of. The plan calls for determining what mitigating factors might still currently exist, and taking steps to remedy those so that the plaza can see vendor use.
Plans for a permanent dock were dropped from these proposals, while the existing floating swimming dock would be retained, even if re-oriented in its setup. Additional accessibility aids would be stored in a new shed in the Central Beach Area.
The plan also recommends making the beach volleyball courts a fixed setup, with permanent nets, Currently, only one of the three beach volleyball courts has a permanent net installed. Expansion of Sandy Beach space overall was a feature Councillor Johnny Cheong backed, saying that too would help ease Gyro Park congestion.
Gyro Park’s vendor area during events.
“With Phase 1, where the lawn bowling is moved, the (additional beach) volleyball courts should be adjacent to the current volleyball courts,” Cheong said. “That expands the total beach area. Trying to hit many birds with one stone, we’ve seen how busy and how densely packed Gyro Beach is in the peak of the Summer, and by expanding sand space in one congruent fashion, we may be able to decongest certain parts.”
Other smaller measures to enhance Gyro Park would be tree renewal, upgraded signage and wayfinding, and ramp upgrades for enhanced accessibility.
Though not decided on just yet, Davis said fitness equipment currently slated to be installed at Pioneer Walkway could also move to Gyro Park, should it be a better fit.
“We did have that discussion originally as part of our strategy through RMI… and we have confirmed that that (equipment) is something we can easily move to Gyro Park, or wherever Council feels it’s necessary.”
One remaining concern also brought up by King was surrounding parking needs with the expanded and redeveloped Gyro Park.
“As you look at possibly more people using Gyro Park, what do you do about parking?” King asked.
Davis confirmed that it’s been identified as a need, but with several other moving parts, a decision about that likely won’t arrive “for another year or so”.
“We’ve definitely got to look at enhancing the current parking lot… it was aligned for the previous structures that were there, but that is definitely an issue.”
