Mission Creek Regional Park is about to get a snazzy new expansion on its east end.

"We're seeing this park is busy all year round," says Wayne Darlington, manager of park planning and capital projects for the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

"And we're seeing a huge increase in the population that's using the park, so we need to expand the park in order to provide that opportunity for those residents."

The Regional District of Central Okanagan funded the $400,000 project as part of its five-year financial budget plan.

"We're going to see an extended picnic area and turf area," Darlington explains. "We will also see a natural obstacle equipment and course that will be multi-age – so not just little kids but also some adults as well will be able to utilize that."

The trail systems, bridges, and boardwalks will also be expanded.

Darlington says Mission Creek Regional Park is the most popular natural park in the Central Okanagan region and regular visitors of the park are looking forward to the expansion.

"I think it's well overdue, there's more and more people here now so there needs to be more trails and, yeah, it's exciting! It's good walking through here," says a woman who regularly hikes through the park.

Wayne hopes the gates to Mission Creek Park’s new east expansion will be open by June.

Regional District of Central Okanagan is kindly asking the public to respect the construction signs and fenced off areas around the east end of Mission Creek Regional Park as they are there for safety.

To read more about the Mission Creek Regional Park expansion, click here.