Here’s your chance to help expand Okanagan Mountain Park

A final push is being made to raise the money needed to buy 151.7 acres of waterfront land surrounded by Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park by July 15.

Much of the $4 million needed to buy the land has been raised through donations but about $650,000 is still needed in order to close the deal and expand the park.

“What makes this so special is that it’s waterfront property,” Jennie McCaffrey, director of engagement for the BC Parks Foundation, told iNFOnews.ca. “They’re not making it anymore. It’s not an exorbitant price so it could easily get snapped up by developers. From the locals we’ve spoken to in the area, it’s kind of a prime spot for someone to build a mega-mansion with a helipad or something like that.”

The parcel is north of Halfmoon Bay and Rattlesnake Island with more than a mile of waterfront.

It has been for sale for a number of years. In 2022, the asking price was $7.9 million but the foundation has negotiated a $4 million deal.

READ MORE: Should this multi-million dollar property for sale be in Okanagan Mountain Park?

The land borders on the Wildhorse Canyon trail and will connect to a proposed wildlife corridor that could run from Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park into Washington State.

“This wildlife corridor is currently functioning really well but many places along the corridor are at risk of development so they are really pushing to protect a one-kilometre wide swath of land so mammals can move around freely,” McCaffrey said. “The incredible diversity of life in this space is unreal. There are 125 species at risk in Okanagan Mountain Park alone.”

The foundation was created in 2018 and in September 2022 it launched its 25 X 25 plan in an effort to protect 25% of BC’s land by 2025 on route to hitting 30% by 2030.

Not all the protected areas will become provincial parks but the plan is to add this parcel to Okanagan Mountain Park.

The Wilson 5 Foundation kicked the 25 X 25 campaign off with a $100 million donation, some of which is being used for the Okanagan Mountain Park project. Now it’s up to the public to make up the rest.

Go here to donate. All contributions of $20 or more will receive tax receipts.

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