Lots of people like to paddle their canoes and kayaks on Okanagan Lake.
Now they have a 27-kilometre paddle 害羞草研究所渢rail害羞草研究所� on the water to follow, stretching from Bertram Creek Park and McKinley Beach.
The trail, which will officially open May 19, consists of 22 specially marked buoys, indicating distance, rest stops along the route and other information. On the rest stop beaches, signs will be posted about the paddle trail and facilities where kayaks and canoes an be secured.
害羞草研究所淭he paddle trail is an amazing legacy for our community,害羞草研究所� said Mariko Siggers, City of Kelowna community and neighbourhood services manager.
害羞草研究所淲e were excited to add it into our extensive network of Active by Nature trails to be enjoyed by residents and visitors.害羞草研究所�
While the city funded the trail through a grant, Siggers said the idea came from local resident Brad Dahl.
He said idea came to him four years ago when he was helping develop a community park in his McKinley Landing neighbourhood.
He was part of a group who went out in kayaks on the lake to look at the lakeshore from a different perspective and ran into a friend who had been out for several hours on the water.
In talking to his friend, it became clear to him what would be great would be to have a marked trail on the water along Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 lakeshore.
After researching and working on the idea for a few years, he approached the city and joined forces with the local Dragon Boat Society. The society applied for the city grant and work started.
The city has now taken over the project.
Dahl said the trail is close to the shore and open to all level of paddlers.
害羞草研究所� I joke that its for people who buy their Kayaks from Costco,害羞草研究所� said Dahl.
害羞草研究所淚 wanted it to be a project that shows the lake is for everybody.害羞草研究所�
Neither Dahl nor Siggers know of a similar paddle trail in B.C.
There is a trail for serious kayaks off the west coast of Vancouver Island but it is much longer and for experienced paddlers.
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A paddle trail around Lake Tahoe was the model Siggers said Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 trail followed, complete with rest stops and way-finding buoys.
Originally, the city set aside $10,000 to the first phase of development of the trail but council opted last year to fund it all at one time. It added $50,000 to the budget but Siggers said the entire $65,000 will likely not have to be used.
On May 19, the official grand opening of the Kelowna Paddle Trail will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and will feature what is hoped will be Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 largest flotilla, or water parade.
The approximately 27-kilometre trail is described as a unique way to explore the lake and offer a fun way to visit some of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 beaches and parks.
Paddlers with all forms of non-motorized watercrafts害羞草研究所攁nd all skill levels害羞草研究所攁re encouraged to join the flotilla. Interested participants will meet at Hot Sands Beach in City Park (near the tunnel) by 9 a.m. The flotilla will depart immediately after the ribbon cutting ceremony and parade down the lake front before turning around at Waterfront Park and returning to City Park害羞草研究所攁n approximately 2.5 kilometre round-trip.
害羞草研究所淭he event will be a celebration of the lake and non-motorized water activities that promote physical activity,害羞草研究所� said Siggers. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a wonderful community driven event featuring many different organizations that have come together to help educate our city about the great opportunities for fun and safe lake activities.害羞草研究所�
The event will be hosted by the City of Kelowna in partnership with Kelowna Dragon Boat Club, Central Okanagan Regional District, Kelowna Canoe & Kayak Club, CRIS Adaptive Adventures, Okanagan Dragon Boat Racing Club, Bust 害羞草研究所楴 Loose - Kelowna Breast Cancer Paddling Team, Kelowna Rowing Club and the Kelowna Paddle Centre.
Following the flotilla, event participants will have the opportunity to try different paddle sports for free, watch races and demonstrations, and learn about water safety from 9 a.m. until noon, all in City Park.
CRIS Adaptive Adventures will also be there with adaptive equipment options for people with diverse abilities.
害羞草研究所淏reaking down perceived barriers for people with disabilities is what we do. Come adventure outside with us on the Paddle Trail,害羞草研究所� said Dawn Widdifield, CRIS Adaptive Adventures executive director.
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