Vaping bad, motorized bicycles good in Central Okanagan regional parks

KELOWNA – Proposed changes to the Regional District of the Central Okanagan’s parks bylaw, if approved, will ban vaping and e-cigarettes along with tobacco in parks.

A report going to the regional district board Monday, Dec. 10, says the bylaw has not been updated since 2006.

The bylaw states that “a person shall not smoke in a Regional Park” and added “lighted smoking device or vaporizing device” to the list of things defined as smoking, such as burning a cigarette, cigar or pipe.

It’s also asking the board to add the words “motor assisted cycle” to the definition of cycles, which are allowed on roads and designated trails.

It also extends opening hours by one hour except for June, July and August where two hours are added to 11 p.m., regulates and restricts weddings and receptions and allows the Director of Parks Services to issue permits to First nations for social, ceremonial and cultural purposes.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.