Trail groups merging

Photo: ET2 Media Summerland

Two groups dedicated to promoting and building trails in the Okanagan have merged.

The Summerland Trans Canada Trail Society and and Trail of the Okanagans Committee recently amalgamated to become The Trail of the Okanagans Society.

"The trail society has been looking after the trail which is now being looked after by the RDOS," said Henry Sielmann, the head of both groups. "So rather than dissolving we decided we wanted to carry on with trail work and felt if we amalgamate we would have a stronger voice to get work done."

Founded in 1999, the Summerland group has been the provincially appointed trail steward for the 40 km long section of the KVR Trail that connects Summerland with Osprey Lake.

This mandate came to an end when the province signed a trail maintenance agreement with the RDOS.

More recently the committee was formed with the goal of advocating for a 250 km recreational pathway leading from Osoyoos to Sicamous. They are currently focused on connecting Summerland with Penticton and Peachland.

The new volunteer society will continue to work with the District of Summerland and the Regional District of Central Okanagan to redevelop the historic Fur Brigade Trail connecting Summerland with Peachland.

Once completed, the link between the south and the central regional districts will provide access to the evolving Trail 2000 connecting Peachland with Kelowna, and ultimately to the Okanagan Rail Trail between Kelowna and Vernon.