Prominent West Kelowna family donates land for a new park

Photo: Contributed

Left to right: Mayor Gord Milsom, Ann Marr and Adrian Marr

The Marr family, who first settled in Kelowna in the 1920s, is dedicating part of their land in Rose Valley for a temporary off-leash dog park.

It will be on undeveloped land that the Marr family and the City of West Kelowna own between McDougall and Westlake Roads, south of Rosewood Drive.

“The Marr family has a long history of giving back to this community and this is no exception,” says Mayor Gord Milsom.

“Ensuring this section of their family homestead will remain a piece of West Kelowna’s history is a wonderful tribute to a community they have called home for decades. Allowing the public to temporarily use this land creates a large connected park space for walking dogs, sports, biking and more. It is an exceptional way to give back for years to come and carry on the family legacy.”

Adrian Marr said the family is pleased to continue its longstanding support and contribution to the Rose Valley community and the city.

The Mar/Marr family’s B.C. history began in the early 1920s in Revelstoke before moving to Kelowna in the later part of the decade. The family ran the Golden Pheasant Restaurant on Bernard Avenue. During the Great Depression, the Golden Pheasant Restaurant provided free soup, after closing hours, to those in need.

In the 1950s, Fee and Jok purchased a homestead of approximately 400 acres on the Westside in the area that is now known as Rose Valley. They grew asparagus, had a variety of fruit trees and raised domestic animals and birds. You can still see a few fruit trees and asparagus on the remaining land, which is the undeveloped parcel, of approximately 25 acres, east of Mar Jok Elementary School. The school itself is named in honour and remembrance of Jok.

Seeing the community’s enjoyment of the land, the Marr family approached the City to initiate a collaborative partnership towards the establishment of a temporary off-leash dog park and bicycling, jogging and walking area. This park combines undeveloped lands, which the Marr family and the City of West Kelowna own.