With Vernon now dubbed the trails capital of B.C., a local cycling group is looking to add to the city’s trail network in a big way.
The North Okanagan Cycling Society is proposing the Vernon Hill Trails, a network of mountain biking trails adjacent to the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Ranchlands, overlooking Vernon east of Galiano Road.
The Cycling Society will present the proposal to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Wednesday, Nov. 1.
The trails would be constructed on 325 hectares of Crown land and would provide connections with the Grey Canal Trail, planned Ranchlands trail network and eventually extend to the BX.
The Cycling Society says the project would be beneficial given the trails’ close proximity to Vernon and Coldstream, allowing cyclists to bike to trails from East Hill and Coldstream neighbourhoods. The society notes the project would utilize existing trail infrastructure (the Grey Canal) and would curb illegal trail building in the area. It would also offer “iconic” views.
The RDNO master plan does not currently permit mountain bike enhanced trails, the society notes, adding BC Parks trails are “crowded and not allowing for new trail development.”
“Future trail development needs to occur on crown land,” the society said.
The society is looking to the Advisory Committee for formal support and future financial support. It will also need parking infrastructure.
The society says it already has support from Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. and has completed engagement with the Okanagan Indian Band and Splatsin First Nations, saying neither of them expressed concerns.
The goal is to break ground on the project in the spring of 2024.
READ MORE: Greater Vernon is now officially the trails capital of B.C.