Trail network planned for Bellevue Creek in Kelowna

KELOWNA – Some major upgrades are in the works for a greenway along Bellevue Creek in Kelowna, but residents in the area will have to be patient — this could take a while.

City council was given a progress report on the Bellevue Creek Linear Park at its regular meeting on Monday, May 29. The estimated $5 million project is expected to begin in 2021 or 2022, and will take about 20 years to complete through several phases.

Bellevue Creek runs through the Mission neighbourhood from Little White Mountain, about 14 kilometres southeast of the Kelowna city limits, draining into Okanagan Lake near Fuller Road. There are two waterfalls along the creek, including Crawford Falls. 

Plans for a network of trails were first proposed in 1995 as part of the City’s Official Community Plan. Previously known as Sawmill Creek, it is now considered one of the top park priorities in Kelowna, according to the report to council.

So far, as part of the development progress to the greenway, upgrades to Canyon Falls Park were made in 2016 which included stairs down to the waterfalls as well as a handrail to ensure safe access.

“Residents of Kelowna have consistently indicated that supplementing the existing linear park and greenway network is important,” the report says.

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