Some major headway has been made to a Giant attraction in Summerland.
A year-round accessible washroom building can be found in the lower parking lot of Giant91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Head Mountain Park, District of Summerland officials announced on Jan. 2.
Work is part of the third and fourth phases of the park's Trails Redevelopment Project, which began in the spring of 2024 and is expected to be complete next year. The provincial government was among the groups to contribute to the project.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœThis new washroom at Giant91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Head Mountain Park will help improve peoples91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ recreational experience at Summerland91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s most significant landmark for years to come," said Ravi Kahlon, the province's minister of housing and municipal affairs.
The last two phases of Summerland's Trails Redevelopment Project include "circulation road upgrades and connecting pedestrian trails, upper parking lot washroom upgrades, and construction of the upper section of the Grind trail to the top of the mountain," a press release from the district reads.
With support from the provincial and federal governments, as well as the Rotary Club of Summerland, the first and second phases of the project were completed in 2020.
That work included 5.4 kilometres of upgraded existing trail, new guard rails, park entrance improvements, road pull-outs, refurbished viewing tubes, and way-finding signage.
Phases No. 3 and 4 of the project, which features the opening of the new year-round washroom, also includes:
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Remedial planting and invasive weed management;
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Trail erosion control measures;
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Continued First Nations consultation for Indigenous interpretive signage;
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Brush removal and fire hazard remediation work;
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢ Park road improvements
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœGiant91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Head Mountain is Summerland91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s most prominent landmark, known as much for its cultural, ecological and recreational importance as its imposing presence in the heart of the community," said Mayor Doug Holmes.
"Through our Trails Redevelopment project, we are encouraging responsible recreational use of the park while also protecting sensitive ecosystems, ensuring both conservation and enjoyment of the park for generations to come.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ
The third and fourth phases of the project are being supported through the Investing in Infrastructure Canada Program, with $673,113 coming from the federal government and $560,871 from the province.
"Our government is proud to invest in accessible community infrastructure to make a meaningful difference in people91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s lives and ensure B.C.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s communities remain vibrant and healthy," Kahlon said.
The 87-hectare Giant91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Head Mountain Park was established in 1967.