Largest Ever Park Purchase for the Okanagan

The announcement at the new park. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

The 31st regional park is the largest purchase yet for the Okanagan.

The brand new Black Mountain/Sntsk'il'ntən Regional Park was officially announced on Friday. Both the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) and the Westbank First Nations will co-manage the new park.

The 410-hectare (1,260-acre) park was created through $7 million from the Regional Parks Legacy and Park Land Reserve Fund as well as a donation of $2.3 million through the Federal Government Ecological Gift Program. The park includes the purchase of 640 acres of private land, the donation of 320 acres through the Ecological Gifts program, and the joint Crown Land tenure with Westbank First Nation.

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Regional Board Chair Robert Hobson, and Westbank First Nations Chief Robert Louie holding their commemorative certificates of the establishment of the new park. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

Of the land, 25 per cent is in the City of Kelowna and 75 percent is within the Central Okanagan East. It runs from Tower Ranch through to Highway 33, and there are hopes that eventually there will be a connection to the Mission Creek Greenway.

Sntsk'il'ntən (pronounced sinch-keel-en-tin) is a syilx/Okanagan word that translates to “the place where arrowheads/flint rock is found”. The area has significant cultural significance for First Nations people because it was the foremost place for gathering tools. It also has ecological significance with four sensitive ecosystems and several endangered and threatened species.

Westbank First Nations Chief Robert Louie said, “I think it's going to offer a lot having Westbank First Nations on the actual title and having the co-management as a responsibility.” He hopes to keep the public well-informed about the Aboriginal ancient uses for the land and use the Westbank First Nations knowledge and cultural advisers to help preserve the park.

“Anytime an area within our traditional territory is protected, we are pleased,” said Louie.

A management plan is being created as well as trails and signage to create awareness and protect the sensitive grassland. While this is being done, the new park remains closed to the public.

Location of the Black Mountain/Sntsk'il'ntən Regional Park. (Photo Credit: Regional District of Central Okanagan)

Approximate location for comparison. (Photo Credit: Google Maps)