Early planning and design of the Mill Creek Linear Park is underway.

Between March and April 2023, City staff consulted with the community to share information about extensive improvements taking place along the Mill Creek corridor and seek input on park amenity preferences.

Thank you for your participation! Stay tuned for the engagement summary report and concept plans.

Ways the public got involved

	Public information session The public had an opportunity to speak with City staff and project team members and share priorities for Mill Creek on Thursday, March 16.
	In-person walkshops Residents were invited to join the Mill Creek Linear Park and Burne Avenue Neighbourhood Park planning and design team for onsite walks on April 19 and 20. These walks were an opportunity to hear the proposed features of the park plans, and share what features and amenities are most important to residents.
	Map Tool | Participants used the interactive map tool share insights with the project team. We asked residetns to help identify areas of interest or concern along Mill Creek Linear Park or within Burne Avenue Neighbourhood Park that we should know about. See what people said below!
	Discussion Forum | Residents let the project team know what they currently value about Mill Creek or what they'd like to see in Burne Avenue Neighbourhood Park in the future using through an online forum.
	Question & Answers | Residents were able to pose questions to staff via the project page

Background

Mill Creek is an important natural feature with environmental, recreational and cultural values for the City of Kelowna. The City is making improvements to protect property, restore habitat and enhance parks in Kelowna.

The development of the Mill Creek Linear Park Master Plan has been under consideration for over 20 years. In recent years, there have been several projects taking place including flood mitigation, diversion, and habitat restoration projects.

The City has secured funding from partners including Federal and Provincial governments, to enhance sensitive ecosystem habitats along the corridor, while adapting to an increase in flooding events. In addition, to the partner funding park Development Cost Charge (DCC) funding will allow the City to continue making functional improvements along the Mill Creek corridor, while making the corridor more of a usable public amenity.

In addition to public and stakeholder engagement the park projects will be guided by technical analysis, hydrology, and several long-term planning documents – including the Mill Creek Master Plan (2000) and Linear Parks Master Plan (2009). Early-phase construction is expected to begin by 2024.