parks

By Kristi Patton - Penticton Western News, Published: November 08, 2011 4:00 PM (link to story)

A veteran’s memorial envisioned by the community of West Bench in 2008 now has the funds to be able to move forward.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is receiving a maximum of $24,520 through the federal government Community War Memorial Program.

“This was something very dear to my heart,” said Sue Gibbons, who was instrumental in the project and her father, Bob Jenkins, was one of the original veterans from West Bench. “The West Bench is a very successful veteran lands act subdivision and it was important for me to pay tribute to those original veterans that settled and built their homes here on the West Bench.”

As residents know, walking on the West Bench can be hazardous.  Several residents have proposed improvements to roads on the West Bench to make walking safer and more enjoyable.  However, unlike municipalities, which own their own roads, rural roads are the responsibility of the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI). In general, MoTI does not provide sidewalks along rural roads and the RDOS has no budget for such things.

The West Bench neighbourhood is fortunate to have a newly upgraded public riding ring located at the top of Selby Park. All riders are welcome to use the facility.

Location:

Selby Park, West Bench Drive, a short distance north of West Bench Elementary School (see map)

(coming soon)

To be announced soon.  See news story.

Mariposa Park is located in a gully at the south end of Vedette Drive on the West Bench. It is a beautiful location and home of the famous West Bench Easter Egg Hunt.

Amenities

• Grassy area


• Shade trees


• Playground equipment


• Tennis court


• Washrooms (unlocked on request)


• Taboggan hills


• Parking

Projects

Selby Park is located on West Bench drive north of West Bench Elementary School.  The park was named for Eric Selby, a veteran and driving force in the establishment of the West Bench Veterans' Land Act (VLA) project.

The park is currently popular with mountain bikers, who use the park to access Penticton Indian Band lands to the west and north.

Amenities

• Grassy area


• Shade trees


• Some playground equipment


• Riding ring


• Parking along West Bench Drive

Projects

By Kristi Patton - Penticton Western News June 03, 2010 (link to story)

The uncertainty surrounding the transfer of a portion of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail to the Penticton Indian Band sparked a feeling of fear from some at Wednesday’s public meeting in West Bench.

Friday, June 4, 2010 By JOHN MOORHOUSE Penticton Herald (link to story)

Penticton Indian band Chief Jonathan Kruger wants to reduce the fear factor surrounding the band‘s application to reacquire the former KVR right-of-way through the reserve.
Kruger and band Councillor Joan Phillip outlined the proposal before about 150 people attending a public information meeting Wednesday night at West Bench Elementary School.