Owners willing to donate property for new Vernon, B.C. park: advocacy group

The land is currently being used as a hay field and is at the corner of Pottery Rd. and 15 St. in Vernon's East Hill neighbourhood.

In the Okanagan’s hot real estate market, it’s rare you hear about someone willing to donate their land.

However, a Vernon, B.C. advocacy group called Friends of East Hill Parks says that’s exactly what local land owners are interested in doing, provided the city agrees to turn the space into a park.

The land is currently being used as a hay field and is at the corner of Pottery Road and 15 Street.

“It has unlimited potential as far as parks and recreation opportunities for East Hill residents,” said Friends of East Hill Parks spokesperson Rany Schellenberg.

Schellenberg believes the East Hill neighbourhood does not currently have enough park space.

He says the current owners of the land proposed for the park, who wish to remain anonymous for the time being, bought the land specifically to reserve it as parkland.

“The owners are actually willing to donate the property under the condition that the city comes up with a parks plan and a reasonable timeframe for opening the park,” Schellenberg said.

“My message to city council would be you are staring opportunity in the face? Let’s not blow it and let’s explore every opportunity.”