The Welcome Kiosk at the Km0 Gateway is Complete

The first signature Gateway Kiosk on xwił iʔ sw̓ kʷnaʔqin, "Road of the Okanagan People" has been installed. The beautiful Fall this year saw the completion of the kiosk structure and wayfinding signage at Km0. This project took many hours of collaborative effort between Okanagan Indian Band, Regional District of North Okanagan and the Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail Project Management Committee.

A large beam includes the indigenous name for the trail which translates to the “Road of the Okanagan People” in the language of Okanagan syilx. The gateway encourages trail users to recognize the people who used this route long before it was a railway or a multi-use trail. Next year, interpretive signage will be installed in the plaza area to tell some of the stories of this special place at n̓kək̓m̓apl̓qs (Little Head of the Lake).

The Kiosk features large maps of the whole trail route as well as details of the segment ahead. Three signs give information about the history of the trail, respect for the environment, and what to look out for on your trail journey. A stylized timeline along the bottom of the signs details the history of the trail from ancient times to the modern day.

Check out the Km0 Gateway in more detail here

Thank you to all of the individual donors and businesses who contributed to the Sunflower Campaign that allowed us to complete Km0. See the donor wall on the website with names and dedications.

Houghton Road

A new entrance to the trail has been created at Houghton Road and Enterprise Way with a walking bridge spanning Mill Creek. Check out the great work being done in Kelowna, the Okanagan Rail Trail keeps getting better!

Coldstream Station

Coldstream Station is looking very close to being complete and is waiting for the final green light to open to the public. Upon completion, it will provide a convenient gathering area with access to the trail, public parking, and visitor information.

FORT Volunteers

Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail now count 76 trail enthusiasts in our group! Trail Ambassadors and Trail Stewards continue to make the trail a welcoming place to be and have logged over 3000 hours in 2022. After three Covid summers, we were finally able to host a Volunteer Appreciation event in September. Great company, good food, and a fine evening marked a positive finish to the season.

We are always looking for more “friends” for the trail.

Please contact volunteer@okanaganrailtrail.ca if you are interested in giving back to the trail.

Fundraising Continues

Thanks to fundraising from our trail supporters and grants from various levels of government, the completed plaza at Km0 now provides an inspiring and safe gathering place with seating stones and shade in the summer. The new kiosk structure at Km0 will set the standard for two future Gateways on the Okanagan Rail Trail — one in Lake Country at Woodsdale (Km26) and the other in Kelowna at Tug Boat Bay (Km52). Scaled-down versions of the kiosk will be installed at specific Major Access Points along the trail.

Once the land transfer is completed and the central section is finished, the wayfinding signage will become even more important on the trail.

If you love the trail and want to give back, please consider making a donation to get Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail started on our next project as part of your holiday giving.

Happy Holidays

Wishing you and your families a safe and happy holiday season.

Warmest thoughts and best wishes,