Central Okanagan

Photo: Contributed: RDCO

The presence of bears has forced closure of trail access to Hardy Falls Regional Park in Peachland.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

The trail is closed upstream of bridge #1.

"Even though bears are often sighted at this time of year in several of our regional parks, several bears and cubs have taken up residence in Hardy Falls Regional Park," says Communications Coordinator, Bruce Smith.

"In recent days, there have been more frequent daytime sightings. kokanee are spawning in Peachland Creek which flows through Hardy Falls Regional Park and these bears are taking advantage of the food source."

Smith says because the main creekside trail meanders along the valley bottom the only way to ensure there are no conflicts (between bears and humans) is to close the main trail.

"All previously scheduled public and school kokanee interpretive tours and weekend interpretive programming will continue along the creek, adjacent to the washroom area of the park between Renfrew Road and Highway 97."