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There are a number of parks and public spaces for residents and visitors alike to enjoy within our Village.
Our public amenities include playground equipment, an outdoor splash pad, outdoor exercise equipment, public washrooms and bollard lights along Village trails to help light the way. Information about each of our parks is contained below.
Please note that all parks within the Village are now designated as smoke free environments. We also ask that you please be cognizant of other park users’ preferences, including:
To view the full text of the Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 808, please click here.
Unless otherwise noted, all Village parks are available for use between 6 AM and 11 PM daily. The Village also reserves the right to extend this timeframe for public and special events.
Due to the climate of our area, Park Public Washrooms are not available between October 15th and April 15th. There are public washroom facilities at the Visitor Information Centre and Village Office which could also be used during regular business hours.
Park Public Washrooms are open between April 15th and October 15th and operate on an automatic timer, which restricts their hours of operation from between 7 AM and 7 PM daily. We ask that you do your best to ensure the public washrooms remain in a safe and sanitary condition.
Riverwalk Trail
A completely accessible, easy journey for the whole family to view the rare Similkameen River riparian ecology
The Okanagan-Similkameen Stewardship Society reports that there are 17 endangered species living in the riparian areas of the lower Similkameen River. Enjoy the accessible trail overlooking the river and watch for these precious inhabitants:
Yellow breasted Chat - listen for hoots, whistles, and clucks from this North American Songbird
Lewis’ woodpecker – climbs trees in woodpecker style, but feeds catching insects swooping out from a perch like a flycatcher
Western screech-owl – locates prey by sight and sound, and is becoming less common due to habitat loss
White-headed woodpecker – non-migratory, less common due to the loss of Ponderosa pine forests
Long billed curlew – largest of shorebirds, likes to spend summer in the grasslands in arid areas like Keremeos
Bobolink – once known as ricebirds, causing havoc in rice fields, males love to sing a bubbly tune, hence the name
Western rattlesnake – small population in Southern BC, confined to dry valleys
Western yellow-bellied racer – long slender snake with smooth scales and moves very quickly
Western painted turtle - outstanding red and yellow patterns on its limbs and ventral shell
Great Basin gopher snake – largest snake native to British Columbia
Western tiger salamander – occupies open habitats such as grasslands and semi-deserts
Great Basin Spadefoot – this toad has cat’s eye pupils and is usually grey or tan with unusual blotches
Umatilla Dace – is a member of the carp family, small barbels on its downward facing mouth identify this fish, lives in fast moving rivers and creeks
Monarch butterfly – fast growing, poisonous to predators and have slow motion clapping wings
Mormon Metalmark butterfly – small butterfly with wings 25-35mm, likes to feed on snow buckwheat
California big horn sheep – can be found in grassy mountain slopes and foothill areas near rugged rocky cliffs, like K Mountain
American badger – habitat is being affected by human development, unfortunately eradicated as a pest to farmers in the 1900’s making the badger even more endangered
View the Riverwalk pamphlet with photos of the endangered species.
Directions
From the junction of Highway 3 and Highway 3A in Keremeos, follow Highway 3 southwest into downtown Keremeos. At the red flashing lights, proceed straight through the intersection to 11th Avenue. Turn left and follow 11th Avenue 2 blocks to the end of the road. Parking in grassy area to the left of the entrance to the ramp.
Pine Park is the largest and oldest park in the Village. The park includes 5.36 acres of coniferous trees and shrubs as well as playground equipment, public washrooms, picnic tables and park benches. Pine Park encapsulates the natural charm of our area, and each year numerous users enjoy use of the park due to the cool breeze provided by the adjacent Similkameen River.
For the convenience of park users, a porta potty is placed near the park frontage during the winter months when the public washrooms are unavailable.
Disc Golf in Pine Park
A professional from the Penticton Disc Golf Club designed the course for Pine Park. The course is a beginner course for all members of the family and is accessible. Baskets have been situated a very generous distance from neighbouring properties and the playground equipment.
A full round of Disc Golf in Pine Park takes about 30 minutes and is free of charge. Discs are available for rental from the Recreation Centre, 311-9th Street Keremeos. $2 for 48 hour rental of 3 discs (driver, intermediate, putter). ID is required for rentals. Call 250-499-2400 for more information.
Disc Golf rules can be found here and view the scorecard here.
Pine Park Disc Golf Course map - 2125' total length
Memorial Park is located within the heart of our Village and draws its name from the Cenotaph located at the northern portion, which is used annually to observe remembrance of those who gave themselves for our freedom during the first and second world wars.
Memorial Park includes the largest concentration of public amenities, including upgraded playground equipment and a splash pad, a large gazebo with rentable picnic tables for large/public events, a community kitchen for hosting pancake breakfasts, public washrooms and outdoor exercise equipment.
Aside from being the location of the Village’s multi-use community facility – Victory Hall – Memorial Park is also the home of a few buildings operated by other entities, such as the Visitor Information Centre, the Keremeos Community Pool and the Keremeos Senior Centre.
Memorial Park accommodates large public events on an annual basis, including the Similkameen Sizzle Pepper Festival and the Kars Under the K Classic Car Show and Shine.
Memorial Park, the Community Kitchen, the Gazebo and Victory Hall are all available for events. For additional information, please click here.
In early 2016, the Village received grant funding to construct an Age-Friendly Outdoor Exercise Park just south of the Gazebo in Memorial Park.
The equipment allows users to undertake a full range of strength and cardio exercises over five different stations and consists of a circuit including a rowing machine, leg press, seated lat pull, seated chest press and two exercise bikes. The equipment also contains instructional placards for users to follow and safely perform each exercise. A copy of these instructions can be found by clicking on the link below:
Exercise Equipment Instructions
The Village has also made Workout Guides available for residents to track and document progress with their particular exercise regimen. A copy of the Workout Guide can be found by clicking on the link below:
Exercise Equipment Workout Guide
To ensure the longevity of this equipment, users are encouraged to bring a cloth to wipe down equipment after use and not to occupy equipment unless actively exercising so others may continue to enjoy their particular exercise circuit. Please contact the Village Office if equipment requires attention for maintenance purposes.
The purchase of this equipment was made possible by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities who contributed the bulk of project funding. The remainder of the project funding was provided by individuals and organizations, who generously donated to the Village’s fundraising campaign, including:
Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen Electoral Area ‘B’ (Cawston)
Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen Electoral Area ‘G’ (Rural Keremeos)
Keremeos Community Church
Keremeos – Cawston Sportsmen Association
Keremeos Ready Mix Ltd.
T.L. Timber Ltd.
Double Diamond Handyman Services
Individual donations from Norm Dooley, Christel Nierbisch, Rose Mitchell and Jeff Shemilt
The Village would like to thank all of the donors, community partners and advisory committee members who selflessly devoted their time, effort and resources to see this project come to fruition.
The Village’s Off-Leash Dog Park is located at the intersection of 8th Street and Veterans Avenue just south of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The area is approximately 1520 square metres and is enclosed by a four foot tall chain length fence with gate entry.
The park features animal waste disposal bags, garbage receptacles, a fake fire hydrant and a picnic table for use by patrons of the park. Hours of operation are from 7 AM to 10 PM daily.
The park is intended for leash free dog exercise and is large enough to accommodate a number of dogs at any given time. It is every dog owner’s responsibility to be proactive in mitigating any potential conflicts between dogs while using the park.
The Off-Lease Dog Park is a shared public space and we ask that you please be cognizant of other park users’ preferences, including:
The Village’s Skateboard Park is located at the intersection of 9th Street and Veterans Avenue just east of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and was constructed as a joint effort between the Village of Keremeos and RDOS Recreation Services.
The Village’s Skateboard Park is located at the intersection of 9th Street and Veterans Avenue just east of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and was constructed as a joint effort between the Village of Keremeos and RDOS Recreation Services.
The Skateboard Park features various elements including stairs, a table, rails, ledges, pyramids, banks and ramps for use by skateboard and BMX bike enthusiasts alike.
The Skateboard Park is a shared public space and we ask that you please be cognizant of other park users’ preferences, including:
Use of this facility is at your own risk; the Village does not assume any responsibility for injury or theft.
In case of emergency, call 911.
Skaters under the age of ten (10) years of age shall be accompanied by an adult of at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Use extreme caution when surface is wet.
Spectators are not allowed on the skate surface inside the park.
Use of profanity and profane gestures is not allowed; please be respectful.
No animals allowed inside the park facility.
Any events must be approved by the Village of Keremeos and permitted accordingly.
Alcohol and smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited inside the skate park facility.
Be courteous and share the park with others.
No motorized vehicles of any kind are permitted in the park.
Skate Park hours are down to dusk
Helmets and pads are mandatory while using the park facility.
For any maintenance related issues, please contact the Village Office at (250) 499-2711.
Riparian Park is located at the Southeastern edge of the Village adjacent to the Similkameen River. The park includes a lush natural environment featuring a walking trail and park benches.
Riparian Park contains a delicate grassland ecosystem which can only be maintained through proper stewardship and conservation. We ask that you please do not disturb the natural vegetation contained within the park.
The Downtown Community Park is a key component of the Village’s Downtown Visual Enhancement Plan. Information about this initiative can be found by clicking on the link below:
Downtown Visual Enhancement Plan - Pocket Park Concept
The Village features approximately 3.75 kilometers of walking trails within our municipal boundaries and is situated mostly along the edge of the Similkameen River as well as the Village Promenade Connector which bisects the Village along the old railway bed.
The Village is privileged to have the support of our local Similkameen Trails Society, who contributes toward the maintenance and beautification of public amenities along our trails. The Village is also grateful for financial contributions provided by FortisBC, who have generously donated grant funding for the purchase of solar powered LED bollard lights which are installed along the Village trails.
There are also a number of trails adjacent to the Village which are available for residents and visitors to explore. For additional information, please click here.