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Trails to be upgraded at Summerland provincial park

Work is part of provincewide improvement to parks
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Provincial parks in British Columbia, including Sun-Oka Provincial Park near Summerland, will benefit from provincial funding. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

A provincial park near Summerland is one of many set to receive improvements as a result of a $21.5 million investment from B.C. Parks.

At Sun-Oka Provincial Park just south of Summerland, paved trails within the park will be reconstructed to improve accessibility.

The investment, during the next three years, is part of an $83 million increase to the budget for B.C. Parks.

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The 30-hectare park was created in 1969 and has been a popular day-use area since that time.

Over the past year, B.C. Parks had a record number of visitors provincewide. More than 3.1 million campers stayed in provincial parks during the 2021 camping season.

“This year has been another exceptionally busy season for B.C. Parks with more people than ever seeking the benefits to their health and well-being that nature and open spaces provide,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “Caring for and expanding BC Parks is an investment in a healthy future. These new projects provide even more people with the opportunity to explore and experience British Columbia’s spectacular beauty and retain the vitally important connection to nature.”

The province is consulting with First Nations governments and conducting environmental and archaeological assessments before moving forward with the projects.

“We are taking strides to ensure our parks are inclusive and welcome for all,” said Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment. “As well as our plans for more campsites, improved trails and better accessibility, we are working in partnership with First Nations to reflect Indigenous history and culture in our provincial parks and deepen our understanding of connection to the land.”

In addition to the proposed projects, $2 million in new infrastructure maintenance funding will be invested in all regions of the province on high-use trail and facility improvement projects. Planning for these projects is underway, and some have already started.

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John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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