Letter to the editor (Kelowna newspaper)

Google Maps image of Munson Pond as it currently lies.

I have been a resident of Kelowna for almost four years now.  I do a lot of wildlife photography, mostly of birds and insects, and was looking for a local ecosystem where I could capture the kinds of images I wanted.  I was thrilled to discover Munson Pond, a lovely little wetland with an enormous variety of wildlife, close and easy access, and well-maintained trails.  It was everything I could hope for.

I have made numerous trips to the park and have taken hundreds of images.  I recently created a Facebook group called “Friends of Munson Pond” that shares some of those images.  The purpose of the group wasn’t to show my work as much as it was to draw attention to the plight of the wetlands.  There is a road to be constructed in the spring of 2025.  The development is called the Burtch Road extension project.  You can view the plans for it at the city’s link given below.

My concern doesn’t stop at the construction of the road.  A new road means new access for residential and commercial development.  What could come in the future is uncertain, but it will no doubt come at the cost of the wildlife and serene status that the park currently enjoys.

I found out about the project when a petition showed up on my Facebook feed.  You can see a link for the petition below.  There have been 211 people that signed up this week as of this writing.  The first goal is for 1500 signatures, at the moment the number is 1,273.  I don’t know what the next goal is, but I would like to see 10,000 people sign up.

Time is running out.  In less than a year construction will begin.  Once shovels are in the ground, there will be little chance of stopping development.  If you care about this park, the wildlife that is found there, the school that uses it (Kelowna Christian School), and those who visit it for recreational purposes, please sign the petition.

 Eric Svendsen, Kelowna.

 Burtch Road project:  https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/planning-projects/capital-projects/burtch-road-extension-denver-rd-klo-rd

 Munson Pond petition:  https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-construction-of-a-road-through-munson-pond-riparian-zone

 Friends of Munson Pond Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2144432079342425

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