News Release

 

1450 K.L.O. Road

Kelowna, B.C.  V1W 3Z4

Telephone: (250) 763-4918

Fax:  (250) 763-0606

www.regionaldistrict.com

September 17, 2003

 

Four Regional Parks Open Again         

 

The “Closed Due To Extreme Fire Hazard” signs have come down at two more Regional Parks.  After checking trails and public areas for safety hazards, Parks crews have given the green light to re-open Mill Creek Regional Park and the Woodhaven Nature Conservancy.  Yesterday afternoon, Mission Creek and Kalamoir Regional Parks were deemed safe for public access.

 

More favorable weather conditions have resulted in the opening of four of the Regional Parks that were closed over the summer because of the extreme fire danger.  In all, ten Regional Parks were completely closed and two others were partially closed.

 

Parks staff hopes to complete their hazard risk inspections of the other six closed parks by late today and expect that the “Closed Due To Extreme Fire Hazard” signs will be taken down.

 

Once a park is open again, people are asked to use extreme caution and should stay on trails.  Please don’t smoke in natural areas and if you do smoke, please ensure all smoking materials have been completely extinguished and safely discarded. 

 

Two Regional Parks will remain closed indefinitely because of damage sustained by the Okanagan Mountain Park fire.  Both Bertram Creek and Cedar Mountain contain many hazards and are considered unsafe.