Crawford Hill Reservoir Restoration and Public Open Space
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Consultation has concluded
Over the coming years, the Town will work towards the implementation of the conceptual site plan. We will be researching and applying for grants, seeking partnerships with community groups, and continuing to gather feedback from community members. We will monitor the opening of this public open space and continue to be responsive to feedback as the site evolves. The plan is not set in stone, and may be adjusted based on community usage, funding opportunities, and other circumstances that arise.
Interested in project updates? Be sure to subscribe to this project.
Do you have questions, comments, or ideas? We'd love to hear from you below!
This project has been made possible through the generous funding provided in part by Creston Valley Community Forest ($75,000), Columbia Basin Trust ($75,000), and the Regional District of Central Kootenay ($40,000). Full implementation of the Conceptual Site Plan is anticipated to require additional grant funding and the formation of partnerships with community groups.
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Who's Listening
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Phone 2504282214 Email joel.comer@creston.ca -
Phone 250-428-2214 Email Natasha.Ewashen@creston.ca
My wife and I are 17+ year residents of the Creston Valley and have resided on Crawford Hill for a little over a year and a half. We applaud Town Council for coming-up with the concept of developing a community accessible "wetland restoration area" complete with an "observation deck" at a relatively small cost. With a bit of luck, it may attract some wildlife species that will provide observational enjoyment to local residents and the community. What a great idea! Especially since this valley is home to hundreds of species of wetland flora a fauna! Why didn't someone think of this before!
Wait a minute. Someone did! Isn't there a 7,000 hectare wetland within 10K of the Town of Creston that is home to some 300+ species of flora and fauna? Isn't it an internationally recognized, (UN) Wetland of Importance? Aren't there accessible trails there and a (charitable status) Discovery Centre with staff that facilitate guiding and educational programs for children and adults? And hasn't that Centre struggled to provide increased environmental education and awareness programs since it was effectively abandoned by the federal, provincial, regional and local governments in 2017? And isn't it fair to say that a collaborative effort between and among all governments - including First Nations - to develop the wetland and the Centre would meet and exceed all Town of Creston environmental-educational objectives? And wouldn't that effort result in huge environmental, educational, economic and cultural benefits for the entire region?
The reservoir project is a good, low-hanging-fruit, project. But sometimes politicians and civic employees need to champion the game-changing projects that can make a real difference. Sometimes it is not enough to pat each other on the back for small steps when there are opportunities to achieve bigger, better and more important results.
How great would it be if Town staff and Council members worked with the Discovery Centre Board of Directors to develop a plan to maximize the environmental/educational/economic/cultural potential of the Valley's wetland? I think it would be very great indeed.
A new Council is a great time to revisit goals, objectives and matters of importance to the community. There is much more information available about the history, Mission, goals and objectives of the Discovery Centre at Discovery-Centre.ca. It should be required reading for Town staff and the new Mayor and council.
jrp