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Socio-Economic Montage
Arrow
Valley Parks, Tourism And Recreation Action Plans
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Authored by:
Cornerstone Planning Group
Commissioned by:
Parks, Tourism and Recreation Task Force - Kootenay Regional
Advisory Group
April 1996
Location of Publication:
BC Hydro Library
"Columbia Basin Trust Collection"
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The high tourism and recreation
potential of the Arrow Valley, for both residents and tourists,
has been a focus of attention for many individuals, community economic
development groups, government agencies and interested stakeholders.
The "Arrow Valley", for the purpose of this study, is
defined as the Columbia River / Arrow Lakes valley from Revelstoke
to the Canada / US border, and from the Monashee Divide to the Selkirk
Divide. It includes the municipalities of Revelstoke, Nakusp, Castlegar,
Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Fruitvale and Montrose, as well as numerous
unincorporated communities and rural areas within parts of the Regional
Districts of Kootenay-Boundary, Central Kootenay and Columbia-Shuswap.
To make the most of the study area's
opportunities, and ensure that the public and private sector agencies
and community groups work together in allocating their collective
resources in the most effective way, this study was initiated with
the following objectives:
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to identify priority parks,
tourism and recreation opportunities in the Arrow Valley,
which have broad public support in their local area;
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to prepare preliminary action
plans for up to twenty priority opportunities;
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to undertake a public participation
process that brings together all interested residents and
stakeholders, ensuring they have an opportunity to be involved,
and providing a positive legacy of shared experience and capacity-building
for each area or community; and,
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to compile an inventory of
existing parks, tourism and recreation products in the Arrow
Valley. |
Key opportunities were identified
for tourism and recreation development by area residents during
the public consultation process. From this, fifteen action plans
were developed out of selected initiatives. The action plans are
intended to provide communities with some basic tools to facilitate
the development of the projects. Two initiatives selected for action
plans include "Valley Wide Integrated Tourism Marketing"
and the "Improved Signage Tourism Initiate". These are
valley-wide action plans that are intended to link community recreation
and tourism initiatives, and to allow communities to work together
to cooperatively promote activities throughout the Arrow Valley
as a whole. Other opportunities that have been developed into action
plan are identified by a R in the
following section.
Identified key opportunities for
each area are as follows:
Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose
and Fruitvale and surrounding area:
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establishing a tourist train
between Rossland, Trail, Castlegar and Nelson;
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R
developing the base area at Red Mountain;
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improving the hiking trail
to Old Glory (Nancy Greene Recreation Area);
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lighting the Blackjack cross-country
ski trails;
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preserving Ft. Sheppard Flats
as a habitat and historical area;
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establishing boat tours on
the Columbia River;
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R
developing wharf and ancillary facilities at Indian Eddy on
the Columbia River;
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expanding the facilities at
Champion Lakes Provincial Park; and,
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improving Beaver Creek Park. |
Castlegar, Regional District of Central
Kootenay areas I and J, Deer Park, Renata and surrounding area:
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R
converting the railway bed from Christina Lake to Castlegar
to a trail;
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R
developing the Columbia Kootenay Interpretive Centre in Castlegar;
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upgrading/expanding Syringa
Creek Park campground;
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building a year round boating
facility on the lower Arrow Lakes;
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R
developing a waterfront park adjacent to Zuckerberg Island;
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developing public water and
road accessible campsites on the lower Arrow Lakes;
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enhancing fish and wildlife;
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protecting and promoting the
Kinnaird Bluffs for climbing;
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maintaining and upgrading
existing trails; and,
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putting in a summer use road
from Deer Park to Fauquier. |
Edgewood, Fauquier, Needles, Burton and
surrounding area:
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R
developing marina facilities in Fauquier, Edgewood and Burton;
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developing more campsites;
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expanding existing forestry
recreation sites;
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enhancing fish;
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R
upgrading Edgewood Community Park;
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R
continuing the upgrade and expansion of Burton Historical
Park;
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developing a farmers and crafters
market;
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developing a full-service
marina facility at Needles;
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developing the hot springs
at Octopus Creek; and,
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developing hiking trails in
the Burton area. |
Nakusp, Galena Bay and surrounding area:
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developing and/or expanding
camping facilities on the lake;
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implementing interpretive
trails up Saddle Mountain and Hufty Mountain;
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developing a linear park from
Nakusp to Roseberry;
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coordinating events and advertising;
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developing marina facilities;
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developing Halcyon Hot Springs
as a resort;
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upgrading and expanding facilities
at McDonald Creek Park;
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R
developing a multi-purpose motor and water sports recreational
ground;
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expanding the Nakusp Hot Springs
into a full-service resort (includes the development of a
ski hill);
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building an aquatic centre
in Nakusp;
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R
upgrading/expanding existing Nakusp marina; and,
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R
expanding facilities at Galena Bay ferry terminal. |
Revelstoke and surrounding area:
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continuing rehabilitation of Illecillewaet Greenbelt wetlands;
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improving and expanding Mount MacPherson recreation trail;
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building a marina/boat facility
at Centennial Park;
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expanding/upgrading Blanket
Creek Provincial Park;
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building an indoor swimming
pool at Revelstoke;
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developing an outdoor experience
guidebook for the North Columbia mountains;
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expanding and developing Mount
Begbie area for climbing and hiking;
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creating opportunities for
circle route trails (Beaton Arm to Revelstoke on east side);
and,
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constructing a breakwater
at the Shelter Bay boat launch. |
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