Protecting What Makes Kelowna Special: Investing in Public Access to the Waterfront

One of the things that makes Kelowna unique is our connection to the water. Okanagan Lake is more than a backdrop to daily life: It's where we gather with family and friends, stay active, connect with nature, and create lasting memories.  

As our community continues to grow, ensuring residents can access and enjoy the waterfront is becoming more important than ever. That's why investing in public waterfront access remains a key priority for the City of Kelowna. 

“Waterfront parks are more than just a beautiful addition to our growing City,” said Melanie Steppuhn, Parks Planning and Design Manager with the City of Kelowna. “They represent a continued commitment to creating more vibrant, accessible, and sustainable public spaces for everyone to enjoy.” 

Planning for the future 

Waterfront land is a finite resource. Once it's developed or becomes inaccessible, opportunities to create new public spaces along the shoreline can be limited. While acquiring lakefront property often comes with a significant price tag, investing in parks and waterfront access is about planning for the future. This is why the 2040 Official Community Plan contains policies specifically aimed at expanding waterfront access. 

The City is currently developing its Park Master Plan - expected to be completed and reviewed by Council later this year, the Plan will build on OCP direction to provide a long-term strategy to guide acquisition of new parks and waterfront properties, ensuring outdoor amenities keep pace with growth. By connecting neighbourhood parks, trails and waterfront spaces, Kelowna is building a more accessible and vibrant community for generations to come.  

Environmental stewardship 
 
Other policies within the OCP set out to ensure the City continues its stewardship of our natural environment and that our community remains resilient in the face of climate change. When key waterfront and creekside areas are protected through public ownership, there is greater opportunity to care for sensitive ecosystems, restore habitat, plan thoughtfully for flood management, and preserve natural shorelines. In this way, investments in access are also investments in the natural setting that shapes Kelowna’s identity and quality of life. 

The waterfront acquisition of 3896 Truswell Road in 2023 is one example of how thoughtful investments can expand public access to the shoreline while creating new opportunities for recreation and environmental stewardship.  
 
Before Truswell Park was developed on this parcel of land, environmental assessments were completed to help protect the ecological integrity of both Mission Creek and the Okanagan Lake shoreline, ensuring the surrounding natural environment was carefully considered throughout the planning process. The site is now an important environmental asset where City access and control will enable flood protection, sediment management, habitat restoration and other long-term environmental initiatives that may need to be considered in the future.  

Community vibrancy 

“The true value of these investments is not measured only in acres acquired or shoreline protected,” says Steppuhn. “But in the everyday experiences they make possible: families spending summer afternoons at the beach, residents walking along the shoreline at sunset, children discovering the lake for the first time, and people of all ages walking, cycling, swimming, paddling, relaxing, and connecting with the natural environment.” 
 
Welcoming, well-connected waterfront spaces contribute to Kelowna’s energy and appeal as a place to live, visit, work, and invest. This helps create lively public spaces near businesses and neighbourhoods and add to the sense of community pride that makes the city memorable for residents and visitors alike. 

As Kelowna continues to evolve, preserving and expanding access to Okanagan Lake helps ensure that one of the community's greatest assets remains accessible and available to everyone. That's a legacy worth investing in. 

Discover the parks, beaches and gathering spaces that help make Kelowna such a vibrant place to live, play and connect. Explore all 200+ City parks and beaches at kelowna.ca/parks.