Oppose Kalamoir Park Redevelopment 

Please take a minute to make yourself aware of the changes that TOTO is trying to push through. This project will be at a cost to Tax payers and there is no known amount.  Knowing the park, what widening will entail; slope stabilization that will be needed (step terrain with vegetation, cliffs), deforesting areas, proximity to the lake & major environmental surveys. The cost of this redevelopment will be in the millions of completed.

Did you know that in 1983 the park was entrusted by the Province of B.C. to the RDCO with the explicit intent that it remain a conservation park. 

“Kalamoir Regional Park was originally conceived as a nature sanctuary, a place where nature was to be enjoyed with as little impact as possible.” “Protecting the natural environment is considered RDCO Parks’ primary responsibility.”

Please sign the petition & save the park.

As noted in the July 2023 Phase 1 Public Consultation report, the primary uses and priorities for the park were clear:

1. Walking and hiking were overwhelmingly the most enjoyed activities, with 91.3% of respondents selecting these options.
2. Wildlife and habitat conservation were highlighted as the most important priorities for the 20-year management plan, with the top three priorities being:
   -Protecting natural plants and wildlife (69.2%)
   -Protecting wetland habitat (56.9%)
   -Restoring disturbed natural areas (46.0%).
3. Increased access for cycling was explicitly identified as not a priority by 40.3% of respondents.

Given this feedback, the community is opposed to the following elements of the proposed plan:

The proposed Active Transportation Corridor would include 16-foot-wide boardwalks and trails for the use of E-bikes. This seems like a misguided and unnecessary project, especially when considering West Kelowna has created bike lanes on the Wine Trail along Boucherie Rd. 

There are several key concerns and particularly about the impactof E-bikes on the Conservation Park. 

1. Disruption to the Natural Environment: 
Conservation parks are specifically set aside to protect natural habitats and biodiversity. Introducing 16-foot-wide boardwalks and extensive trails designed for E-bikes would create significant disruptions to the ecosystem. The construction alone could damage sensitive soil, disturb wildlife habitats, and introduce invasive species. These types of developments simply aren’t appropriate for protected natural areas where the primary goal is conservation, not development.

2. E-Bikes Are Not Suitable for Conservation Areas: Conservation parks are designed for low-impact activities like walking, birdwatching, and other passive forms of recreation. E-bikes, on the other hand, are motorized vehicles that can cause unnecessary wear and tear on trails, disturb wildlife, and increase the risk of accidents. The speed and noise of E-bikes can significantly detract from the tranquility and natural beauty of the park, making it less enjoyable for visitors who are seeking a peaceful, nature-focused experience.

3. Inappropriate Scale of Development: A 16-foot-wide boardwalk is a massive intrusion into a natural environment, especially in a Conservation Park on a narrow escarpment. It would create an unnatural, industrialized feel in an area that is meant to remain wild and undeveloped. This scale of development could overpower the park’s natural beauty, making it feel more like an urban recreational space rather than a protected natural area.

4. Conflict Between Recreation and Conservation Goals: The purpose of Kalamoir Park and similar conservation areas is to preserve nature for future generations. Introducing high-traffic areas, wide trails, and motorized vehicles runs counter to the core goal of conservation. The park was gifted to the RDCO with the expectation that it would be protected and preserved for its ecological value, as a Conservation Park, not transformed into a recreational corridor for commuters.

5. Impact on Wildlife: The introduction of boardwalks and trails for E-bikes would likely disturb wildlife, especially in areas that require quiet, undisturbed environments for feeding, breeding, and migration. The noise and movement of E-bikes can disrupt animals, leading them to abandon their habitats or alter their natural behaviors. The park may also have sensitive ecosystems that could be negatively impacted by increased human activity and construction.

6. Financial Priorities: The City of West Kelowna has already invested in bike lanes along the Wine Trail on Boucherie Rd., and RDCO’s further investment in an additional route may be an unnecessary duplication of resources. Rather than spending money on potentially damaging a conservation area, the city could focus on enhancing and connecting existing infrastructure to promote active transportation without compromising the environment. This an alternative route on Boucherie for bike paths that wouldn’t involve compromising a protected natural space.

7. Long-Term Maintenance and Environmental Costs: Even if RDCO proceeds with the project, there could be long-term environmental and financial costs associated with maintaining wide boardwalks and bike paths in a conservation area. RDCO would need to regularly maintain these trails, which could require ongoing investment and resources that might detract from true conservation efforts. Additionally, the environmental costs of maintaining these structures in a sensitive ecosystem could be significant, further undermining the park’s conservation goals.

In conclusion, the idea of turning a Conservation Park into an Active Transportation Corridor with wide boardwalks and E-bike trails is a bad decision. It undermines the park’s primary purpose of protecting and preserving natural habitats, introduces disruptive motorized activity into a space meant for tranquility, and potentially harms the local environment and wildlife.RDCO’s Active Transportation Corridor looks like an expensive, environmentally harmful project that’s being pushed through without proper consideration for the broader consequences.

Kalamoir Park has long been valued as a nature sanctuary, and any development should be carefully evaluated to ensure that it does not compromise its ecological integrity.
Kalamoir Regional Park is a treasured regional and community asset, and it must reflect the values and priorities of its users which, according to the survey, are the strong desire for conservation and walking/hiking-focused amenities. We the community are against the redevelopment and destruction of our protected park land.