Dale Boyd
Times-Chronicle
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is taking the first step towards connecting 20 km of continuous trail in the South Okanagan.
The board voted at the July 16 regular meeting to apply to the province for a 30-year license of occupation on two sections of trail including the former Kettle Valley Railway Right of Way.
The first section connects from Road 21 to Road 18 in rural Oliver and the second section connects the west side of the river channel from Road 22 to Highway 97 — currently known as the International Hike and Bike Trail.
The “South Spur” of the KVR Trail will put an additional 18.5 km of trail under RDOS management if the application is successful, putting 20 km of continuous trail from the north end of Osoyoos Lake to Oliver and up to Gallagher Lake under the regional district’s purview.
The section from Road 21 to Road 18 in Oliver would build on work completed by the RDOS in 2017, when grant funding help connect trails from the north end of Osoyoos Lake to Road 21. The trail would run parallel to the river channel creating a trail loop with local attractions.
“As this section runs parallel with the current river channel application area, it would create a seven kilometre trail loop that would include a boardwalk, oxbows, vineyards and (the) Okanagan River while providing a safe and enjoyable ‘off-highway’ alternative to continue north to Oliver,” reads a staff report from Justin Shuttleworth, RDOS parks and facilities manager.
The KVR trail north of Osoyoos currently ends at Road 21, where trial users are likely to use Highway 97 to continue north.
“Adding this three-kilometre section of trail from Road 21 to Road 18 would provide a connection for recreationalists and commuters who desire a safe off-highway experience,” the report states.
The section on the west side of the Okanagan river channel is already actively used as a trail, the International Hike and Bike Trial, but RDOS staff say the existing trail along the river dike is not highly maintained and could be cleaned up if the application is successful.
“The RDOS currently has a limited scope contract with the province to mow the edge of the trial for the northernmost 11 km of the 18.5-km application which was paved nearly 30 years ago and is falling into disrepair,” the staff report states. “The contract allows the RDOS to modestly enhance the user experience, but does not allow resources and funding for capital improvements, repairs or increased operational service levels.”
The license of occupation would enable the regional district to improve and maintain the trail sections for public use including resurfacing, signage, invasive plant removal and creating access points.
Regional District staff will start public consultation during the application process, the staff report states.
