Kelowna’s new signature sign brings community connection to the waterfront

Kelowna’s waterfront has a new place to pause, gather and snap a photo. Unveiled today by Mayor and Council in Stuart Park, Kelowna’s Signature Sign is a welcoming landmark that reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to creating public spaces where residents and visitors can connect with the city, the downtown waterfront and each other.

“Kelowna’s Signature Sign is a meaningful addition to our waterfront that transforms an underused space in Stuart Park into an inviting, interactive landmark for residents and visitors,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “Designed to reflect our city’s character, it will support downtown vibrancy, tourism, and everyday community connection, while helping increase foot traffic to nearby businesses and supporting local economic activity.”

A landmark designed for people

The life-sized illuminated letters stretch approximately eight feet high and 68 feet long, spelling out the Kelowna wordmark in a way that invites people to move through, around and within the space.

 “The letters are spaced to encourage interaction,” shares Derek Edstrom, Divisional Director of Partnerships and Investments. “The ‘O’ creates a natural focal point and seating element for photos and shared moments, inviting visitors to sit, stand and pose in a way that feels personal and memorable.”

As the day changes, the sign changes too. Integrated lighting within each letter will shift to reflect sunrise, sunset and current weather conditions, creating a dynamic experience that feels connected to the landscape and atmosphere around it.

Reflecting place, culture and connection

The design of the sign was shaped with a strong sense of place. Rolling wave forms echo the Okanagan hills across the lake, while the reverse side features backlit perforated panels with artwork curated by Indigenous consultant Coralee Miller. The artwork includes symbols of nature that speak to our continued connection, relationship and accountability to the health and well-being of the water, the land, wildlife and each other.

By bringing these elements together, the Signature Sign reflects both the beauty of Kelowna’s waterfront and the cultural stories that help shape the community’s identity.

Creating more reasons to gather downtown

Public spaces play an important role in how a community comes together. They offer places to celebrate, connect, take in the view and create the everyday memories that give a city its character. In Stuart Park, the new Signature Sign builds on the waterfront’s role as a destination for shared experiences, while supporting the City’s broader work to create inviting, accessible places that encourage gathering, community vibrancy and downtown activity.

“This project reflects Kelowna’s commitment to creating vibrant public places where people can gather, create memories and celebrate their connection to Kelowna,” said Edstrom. “We are excited for the community to discover the sign for themselves and hope it’ll be a source of community pride for years to come.”

It is part of a broader focus on enhancing public spaces across Kelowna. Earlier this year, upgrades in City Park helped make one of the city’s most well-used waterfront spaces more inviting for people to gather, connect and move through, supporting both everyday recreation and active transportation in the heart of the city.

A refreshed space ready to welcome visitors

The area around the sign has also been refreshed to make it more accessible and inviting, with a new paved pathway connecting to the Waterfront promenade. The park features new plantings, plaza space, a camera podium, and upgraded soil, sod and irrigation. With the Signature Sign now in place, Stuart Park has a new feature that reflects the City’s continued investment in public spaces that invite people to stop, gather and experience Kelowna’s waterfront in a fresh way

So next time you’re downtown, take a stroll through Stuart Park, find your favourite angle and make a new Kelowna memory at the city’s newest waterfront landmark.