Why is a section in Lower Glen Canyon closed?
There is a section in Lower Glen Canyon that we used to go to as a school in previous years, but in the fall of 2020 was closed. It is the red area in the map below.
Our class decided to contact the Regional District of the Central Okanagan to find out. We first called them (2 students on speaker phone), and then we were asked to email our questions to them. We were told that it was closed due to people breaking bylaws in the area (littering, campfires, destruction of park land, overnight camping, etc).
Our class wondered if rebuilding the trails would allow more law-abiding users in the area, deterring law-breakers.
We asked these questions:
Our class wondered if rebuilding the trails would allow more law-abiding users in the area, deterring law-breakers.
We asked these questions:
- Why is the area closed? Are there other reasons this area is closed?
- Can we help rebuild the trails?
- Would our friends and family help us reopen these trails?
- What other classes at GPE use Glen Canyon?
- Wouldn't the local community benefit from more park space?
- How can we make it a safe place?
Taking Action
We decided we needed to contact the Director of Parks. As a class we learned about formal letter writing and began that process. We also created a video for the GPE community and our families to ask them for support on this project.
Meanwhile, we were still in contact with a Parks Technician who explained some of the complications such as hazardous Himalayan Blackberry plans. We started to make a plan with her.
Meanwhile, we were still in contact with a Parks Technician who explained some of the complications such as hazardous Himalayan Blackberry plans. We started to make a plan with her.
What are Invasive Species?
We are now starting to research invasive species in our area, and ones that can be found in Glen Canyon.
- knapweed
- bugloss
- sulphur cinquefoil
- Canada Thistle
- periwinkle
- purple loosestrife
- scotch thistle
- wild parsnip
- St. Johns Wort
- Himalayan blackberry