The creek in the middle of Vernon's crown jewel is undergoing a major change.
Phase 1 of the city's Vernon Creek Naturalization Project will start in Polson Park as early as Monday, June 17.
The project is a two-prong initiative aimed to turn the exiting concrete-lined creek into a natural, meandering watercourse with improved fish habitats, enhanced water quality, and increased floodplain capacity.
The first phase runs through to November and will focus on the section of the creek between Highway 97 and the current duck pond outlet. In-stream work will need to be completed within a specific fisheries window to minimize the impact on fish habitats. Two dozen mature trees will also be removed and replaced with 160 native trees and a variety of shrubs.
Phase 2 is slated to start in 2025.
Work is planned daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work will halt on the Canada Day long weekend for park activities.
Following the completion of Phase 1, the city will assess the outcomes and seek necessary permits and funding for Phase 2, anticipated to begin in June 2025.
The project aims to enhance the ecological health of Vernon Creek and improve Polson Park's resilience to flooding. The City will provide regular updates throughout the construction period to keep the community informed. Additionally, an interactive story map detailing the project’s vision is available on the City’s website Vernon.ca/polsonparkproject.
