Safety spotlighted on Landing path

VERNON – A Vernon politician is on a mission to improve safety along a well-used path in Okanagan Landing.

The route provides a shortcut from 43rd Avenue to 25th, where the Landing shopping centre is located. Many residents use the path, but the lack of lighting in the evenings is creating some safety concerns, Coun. Catherine Lord said at a meeting Monday.

“In the wintertime it gets dark at 3:30/ 4 p.m., and there’s a lot of people there that work and don’t have a vehicle and go shopping at night,” Lord said, noting it's a lower-income neighbourhood and many residents don't own cars. 

The other option is to trek an extra four blocks around the sewage treatment plant.

“It’s a long walk,” Lord said.

She recently walked the path after receiving inquiries from the public, and would like council to put improvements in the budget for next year.

“I’d like to provide lighting so they feel safe on that pathway,” she said.

City staff have been asked to review options and report back to council.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.