Current CP Rail Trail Closure at Kaleden...

Admin Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:07 pm

Letter from Debra McGinn and Andrew Brice to Premier Christy Clark

December 20, 2011
The Honourable Christy Clark
Premier of British Columbia
PO Box 9041 Stn. Prov. Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9E1

Dear Premier Clark,
Re: Notice of Closure of KVR Trail at Kaleden, B.C. (its actually the CP Rail Trail, not KVR -- EDITOR)

Thank you very much for speaking with me at the Town Hall meeting that you held in Penticton last Tuesday. It is very encouraging to know that you value the KVR trail system in British Columbia. We regret to advise you that we are immediately closing our private property at Kaleden, which will leave no public access to the KVR trail between Penticton and Okanagan Falls. We have tried so diligently to be proactive and negotiate an exchange for the trail connection that is required at the north end of Kaleden, but we have had no success.

We have not even been able to have the Province determine the best alignment for a potential connection. Even though we have provided the Province with a few options for alignment, the Province has not provided us with any feedback.

We are so frustrated with not only the lack of cooperation, but the bad faith that has been demonstrated by the Province. Both the Trail Manager and the Ministry of Transportation did not disclose the policy for land exchanges, even though we asked for the process, and they both privately collaborated to attempt to obtain the trail connection from us for no compensation. We are very offended as the Province previously negotiated a land exchange for the trail connection at the south end of our community (Ponderosa Resorts), and we are only asking to be treated in an equal manner to the precedent that was set with the south connection.

We are now shocked that the Provincial Trail Manager advised us this last week that if the Province does not receive the trail connection for no compensation thru our boundary adjustment, that he proposes that a boardwalk will be placed out into the lake around our property. Not only is this is contrary to riparian rights law, but we are certain that this change in provincial policy would be most offensive to all waterfront property owners in British Columbia.

We are now ceasing to offer the trail connection and are closing the property to the public, and are proceeding to build a residence. Should the Province desire a trail connection via a land exchange at some time in the future, we would be willing to consider a proposal.

I have attached the news release that we have submitted to the local newsletter for distribution later this month. A widespread media release will follow.

Yours truly,
Debi McGinn

And the RDOS's paperwork on the same property: http://bit.ly/sTj4XO (Adobe PDF Formatted File)

Dontfollowme Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:54 pm

Company closing off section of KVR Trail
Penticton Western News

Admin Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:18 pm

Oddly, they continue to call it "The KVR", when in fact, this stretch of rail-trail has nothing to do with the KVR :-)

Andrew

Dontfollowme Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:32 pm

CHBC
“This is a disgrace to the parks in Kaleden,” said Gail Owen, chair of the Kaleden Recreation Committee. “It is very upsetting to people in Kaleden. This trail has been open for over 20 years.”

Owen believes the community is being used as a pawn as part of an ongoing dispute between the property owner and the province.

Read it on Global News: CHBC Okanagan | KVR land dispute in South Okanagan

Current CP Rail Trail Closure at Kaleden... Kvr1

Current CP Rail Trail Closure at Kaleden... Kvr1

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Current CP Rail Trail Closure at Kaleden...

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