More bike racks in City Park

Open letter to the City of Kelowna

First and foremost, nice job so far on (Kelowna’s) City Park. I love the attention to the grass and foliage.

Though, for a city that promotes and encourages cycling throughout the city, I have to say you have failed terribly when providing bike racks in the park.

I have frequented Hot Sands Beach since I moved here more than 10 years ago. I do not drive and ride my bike to get around all summer long. There used to be a bike rack next to the concession but that disappeared a few years ago and was replaced with dual bike racks spread out along the walkway. They are not nearly enough to provide for everyone.

It was 3:15 on Saturday, June 25 and I'm was on Hot Sands Beach. It was packed. I could not count how many bikes I saw on the beach or locked up to benches and sign posts, mine included. (I won't talk about the theft issues.)

Does anyone in city planning actually use the park or the beach? Do they see where the needs and demands are? I wonder if the concession will be closed again this year as well. Maybe allow more food trucks in the park?

While I realize the park renovations are not complete, I really hope the city provides an adequate number of bike racks so we don't have to bring our bikes onto the beach or the grass areas. It would a huge failure if they don’t.

As I wrote this letter, a man asked me to move my bike so his group could play spike ball.

Lisa Reynolds, Kelowna