Parks & Trails

Who do I phone for park info?

Parks Maintenance: Yards 549-6757
Park Bookings & General Inquiries: Recreation Complex 545-6035

Vernon has many beautiful parks and trails...

Polson Park
Rent a Park
Greater Vernon Hiking and Biking Routes
Dogs in Parks
Park Features and Addresses
Water Fun in the Parks
General Park Information
New!! Community / School Garden Pilot Project

Polson Park

Polson Park is located near the heart of Vernon, adjacent to Highway 97 and Highway 6. The park was established in 1908 when Samuel Polson donated a large parcel of land to the city. Located in the park is the Lawn Bowling Club, the Interior Space and Science Centre, the Arts Council and Vernon Heritage Hall.

Floral Clock in Polson ParkPolson Park is probably best known for the Floral Clock that was installed in 1958. The date is changed daily and it provides a great photo with its colourful background. Further into the park you will find the Japanese Garden, which was donated by the Japanese Community and the Chinese Pagoda, which was donated by the Chinese Community. Both were constructed in 1967 as Centennial Projects. The Rose Garden, a perennial favorite and also a Centennial project, is located in the south east of the park. Specific areas of the park can be reserved for your special event such as weddings, social gatherings and concerts. Call 250-545-6035 to book. There are two ponds in the park which support an abundance of waterfowl. A new Ogopogo has been added to the ponds. This feature delights young and old alike.

Polson Park offers lots to do and see for both residents and visitors to our community. A water spray playground is very popular with children of all ages. It is open to the public at no charge from 10am-7pm seven days per week in July and August. It is open on weekends in June. A large wheelchair accessible playground is located adjacent to the water park. The park also supports two tennis courts, a running track and a skateboard park.

Polson Park Map - 220Kb PDF

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Rent a Park

Park bookings and general inquiries - Recreation Center or telephone 545-6035 ext 0.

Having a family reunion, wedding, photos, team need extra practice, location for a birthday party…..check out renting a local park. You can reserve the park in advance to guarantee availability. We book local ball diamonds, soccer fields, picnic shelters. Within Polson Park there are popular spots to reserve, such as Japanese Garden, Chinese Pagoda & more.

Practice Field Rates: $23.95/per 1 ½ hr. booking. Field users are allowed to book one reservation per week. Payment required upon booking.

Park Permit: $38.11 per booking.

Picnic Shelters:

  • Kin Beach Shelter - $124.57 per day, $62.29 per ½ day (4 hrs or less)
  • Coldstream Park - $143.85 per day, $71.92.per ½ day (4 hrs or less)

Price for picnic shelters include washrooms, existing utilities and picnic tables for community use. Check for commercial rates by calling 250-545-6035 ext 0.

Trail and pathway systems save energy and protect air quality
by encouraging nonmotorized transportation.

Greater Vernon Hiking and Biking Routes

Pick up a copy of the Greater Vernon Hiking and Biking Routes brochure from one of the following locations:

  • Vernon Recreation Centre - 3310-37th Ave
  • Greater Vernon Services - 3rd Fl, 3105-33rd St.
  • Vernon City Hall - 3400-30th St.
  • North Okanagan Regional District- - 9848 Aberdeen Rd.
  • The District of Coldstream - 9901 Kalamalka Rd.

You can also print out a specific route from the brochure by selecting from the links below:

Cycling Routes - PDF Files

Hiking Routes - PDF Files

Grey Canal TrailGrey Canal Trail

BX Creek TrailBX Creek Trail

McKergow Meadows
Though this is a shorter steeper hiking option, the views from Middleton Mountain into the valleys and down to Kalamalka Lake below, make this trip well worth your efforts. Mud Lake, a small pond within this park, provides habitat for ducks, geese, toads and salamanders. Please stay on the designated paths.

Becker park Community Trail

Located conveniently behind the Recreation Complex, Becker Park/Centennial hill. The trail entrance provides parking at its entrance in the parking lot of teh Curling Rink located at 3500 39th Ave and provides the reward of a beautiful view of teh Vernon City Centre from teh east face and a peek down the valley to Okanagan Lake on the West.

Cools Pond
This is a small pond/natural area located at the intersection of L & A Rd. and Cools Rd. A viewing platform with interpretive signs are provided.

Dogs in Parks

Greater Vernon provides areas where dogs may be exercised, either on or off leash. Dogs must be under control of the owners at all times and owners must clean up after their dogs immediately. Signs, bag dispensers and receptacles are located at each dog park. These are the "Dog Parks" within Greater Vernon:

These are the "Dog Parks" within Greater Vernon:

  1. The Grey Canal Trail - parking off Blackcomb Way, 1.2 km north of the BX Elementary School
  2. BX Ranch Park - from the junction of 46th Ave & Pleasant Valley Rd, 1.5 km E. on BX Road.
  3. Forest Tree Plantation - .9 km north on Bench Row Rd., off Mission Road.
  4. Heritage Natural Area - unmowed area behind Heritage Park (5025 Heritage Dr.).
  5. Mutrie Road Park - east end of 43rd Ave & turn right onto Mutrie Rd.
  6. DND Grounds East of Diamond # 8.
  7. Creekside Park-between Kalamalka Rd & the creek.
  8. Mission Hill Park - 3900 - 15th Avenue.
  9. Pioneer Park - 3501 - 35th Avenue.
  10. Stenquist Park - 9255 Heritage Lane, Coldstream.
  11. Coldstream Valley Estates - intersection of Uplands Dr. and Ridgemont Pl. Coldstream.
  12. Marshall Fields Park - 6601 Okanagan Landing Road, along Vernon Creek only.
  13. Becker Park(adjacent to the Curling Rink parking lot).

Local pet stores have worked together to provide receptacles and bag dispensers at all the dog parks and the Linear Park on 25th Avenue.

Responsible dog owners earn the respect of all park users.

Download the Dog Parks Map

Download the Dog Parks Map - 1.64MB PDF


General Park Info

Polson Park
Polson Park is located near the heart of Vernon, adjacent to Highway 97 and Highway 6. The park was established in 1908 when Samuel Polson donated a large parcel of land to the city. The popular features of the park are:

  • Floral Clock
  • Japanese Garden
  • Lawn Bowling
  • Duck Pond
  • Skateboard Park
  • Vernon Heritage Hall
  • Water Spray Park
  • Soccer/Football Field
  • Arts Centre
  • Chinese Pagoda
  • Tennis Courts
  • Interior Space & Science Centre
  • Running Track
  • Wheelchair Access Playground

Parks to Visit
Maps can be found at: www.greatervernon.ca

Soccer Fields
MacDonald Park
Creekside Park
N’Kwala
Polson Park
Ball Diamonds
DND (Department of National Defense)
Marshall Fields
Grahame Park
Kin Race Track
Creekside Park
Lavington Park
Boat Launches
Paddlewheel Park
Westkal Road
Kalavista
Kinloch
Kekuli Bay
Tennis Courts
Marshall Fields
MacDonald Park
Polson Park
Kalview Park
Paddlewheel Park
Lavington Park
Kalvista
Kalamalka Sec
Sawicki Park
Skateboard Parks
Polson Park
Creekside Park
 

Water Fun in the Parks

Polson Park Spray Pool
This very popular water spray playground is located within Polson Park. Great summer fun for children of all ages. The spray pool is open to the public at no charge from 10am to 7pm seven days a week during July and August and on weekends in June.

Lakeview Wading Pool
Lakeview wading pool is located on 18th Street and 32nd Avenue. It is open to the public in July and August from 12noon to 8pm seven days a week at no charge. There are lifeguards on duty. The pool is adjacent to wonderful playground equipment. A great place to have a picnic with kids!
Kin Beach Park - Tronson Rd on Okanagan Lake
Kal Lake Beach - On Kalamalka Lake Rd

Community Garden

Due to the popularity of the new Greater Vernon Community / School Garden, all allotments have been assigned. If you would like to get on the waiting list, please contact Wendy Aasen @ 250-542-6920 or .

Efforts are being made to expand community Gardening in Greater Vernon and we hope to have more sites available in the future.

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Greater Vernon
Parks, Recreation & Culture

3310-37 Avenue
Vernon B.C. V1T 2Y5

Phone: 250-545-6035
Fax: 250-550-3705

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