It's time to reimagine the future of Polson Park
You are invited to take part in shaping the future of Polson Park. At approximately 17.5 hectares in size, Polson Park is intended to be a destination that offers a wide range of recreational, cultural and natural amenities.
How to get involved:
📍Drop by the open house Apr. 9, from 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
🔎Read about the project and review the Display Boards
📋Complete a survey, share an idea or ask a question
Your feedback will help shape future decisions about park amenities, accessibility, safety and cultural features. Feedback received will be shared with the Project Team and Council.
A time of transition
Polson Park is currently in a transitional phase, The Vernon Creek Naturalization Project is restoring the natural creek by removing the concrete creek channels, with the goal of improving drainage, reducing flooding, and restoring riparian ecosystems. The Park has other unresolved issues related to aging infrastructure, such as the closure of the splash park, the aging playground, tennis courts, bandshell, washrooms, among others.
The land was originally donated to the City by the Polson family in 1908 for a hospital, with the lower grounds being developed into a public park. It also holds both ecological and cultural significance for the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB).
As part of the Council Strategic Plan and Parks Master Plan, it is identified as a priority to complete a Plan for Polson Park.
Revitalization Plan
The Polson Park Revitalization Plan will establish a long-term vision for the park and guide its development over the next decade.
The plan will outline priorities for future investments through high-level conceptual designs and cost estimates, establish a phased approach to improvements, and guide future budgeting decisions. It will also address aging infrastructure and respond to the evolving needs of the community.
The process will be carried out in multiple phases.
Phase 1 - Inventory, Assessment & Condition Review - We are here!
The first phase will compile existing information, assess current park conditions, and engage the community to better understand how the park is used today, key challenges, opportunities, and priorities for improvement.
Phase 1 is expected to take between 6-8 months with exact timing depending on the availability of qualified consultants.
A Parks Revitalization Plan is a long-term visionary document that guides the renewal and revival of a park by identifying intentional improvements. It outlines a vision, goals, and strategies based on community input, technical analysis, funding considerations, and Official Community Plan objectives. For Polson Park, the Plan will help determine which amenities to include, how the space should be organized, and how accessibility, sustainability, and recreation needs can be addressed over time.
Polson Park is one of Vernon’s most significant and well-established community spaces. Many of these amenities are aging, underutilized, or in need of improvement. As the community grows, it’s important to ensure our community spaces are welcoming, equitable, accessible, and can provide opportunities for social interaction and community togetherness. For Polson Park, it is important to understand current conditions, community needs, and future priorities to help guide thoughtful and intentional improvements over time.
This project focuses on planning and community input first. Future design concepts, costs, and timelines will be developed in later phases and will include additional community input and Council consideration.
Protecting natural spaces is a key priority. Environmental conditions, trees, and natural areas are being reviewed in Phase 1 and will help guide future planning and design decisions.
The idea of an outdoor ice-skating rink or track in Polson Park has been raised by the community many times over the past decade. Phase 1 will include a feasibility study to better understand whether this idea is suitable, practical, sustainable and cost effective.
While new features can enhance the park experience, they also come with upfront construction costs and ongoing maintenance considerations. A balanced approach to investment and priorities helps ensure improvements are realistic to deliver, financially sustainable over time, and aligned with what the community values most.
Next Steps
Based on community input and an on the ground review of the park, the City will develop a draft site placement map showing how different areas of Polson Park could be used in the future, including which existing amenities are expected to stay, which will change over time, and where new amenities could be added. This draft will be a key step in moving the Polson Park Revitalization Plan forward and shaping future ideas for the park.
Future Phases - Revitalization Plan Development
Building on the base information and framework established in Phase 1, the next phases of the project will include the preparation of concept designs for the park supported by preliminary cost estimates and phasing strategies. Community engagement will continue in this phase to review draft concepts and provide feedback to further refine the plan, alongside Council consideration.
