Knox Mountain Park
Knox Mountain Park is considered among the most important and well-known natural area parks in Kelowna. Significant changes have occurred within the park since the first management plan was completed over a decade ago. These changes include expansion of park boundaries to encompass the area around Kathleen Lake and considerable increases in park use resulting in deterioration of the built and natural features. A local multi-disciplinary consultant team was hired in the Spring of 2009 to prepare an update to the 1999 Knox Mountain Park Management Plan.
Over the course of the two-year process, formal public consultation consisted of two workshops with external stakeholders, two public open houses and a neighbourhood mail-out with a survey.
City Council endorsed the updated Knox Mountain Park Management Plan 2011, through Council Resolution on November 14, 2011 directing staff to use the plan as a guide to follow in future planning for the park; and directing staff to consider that appropriate priority to be given to the management of Knox Mountain Park in the development of the renewed long-term capital investment plan.
The Management Plan provides guidance for the management of Knox Mountain Park for the next 10 to 15 years. It also establishes a framework for City decision-making with respect to park operations and maintenance.
The primary focus of the new Management Plan is to restore and then protect the natural environment, followed by modest improvements to user amenities in the park. This plan underscores the City’s commitment to public involvement and sets out avenues for community partners to participate in park activities.
Priorities for implementation were determined, high level cost estimates were prepared and tasks were broken down into four time periods for capital development, operations and maintenance.
For Information on the Management Plan contact:
Barb Davidson,
Project Manager
bdavidson@kelowna.ca
Hours of Operation
Parks Hours: Open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Knox Mountain Drive Hours: Dependent on weather conditions and sanctioned event closures.
Winter Hours for vehicles: Closed.
Summer Hours for Vehicles: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Park Rental and Special Event Permits
Contact:
Claudia Buhler,
Outdoor Events Coordinator
cbuhler@kelowna.ca