Donate to Trail Improvements - Okanagan Rail Trail

Our goal is to secure donations to build various kiosks that welcome trail users, orient them to their position on the trail and highlight the natural and cultural history of the trail. Rail Trail users will have the opportunity to explore the timeline of the trail, and how it connects the past, present and future of the trail, how it connects communities, and the importance of respect and etiquette.

Find Your Way on Okanagan Rail Trail

Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail is dedicated to enhancing the trail experience, and we’re excited to be building new wayfinding kiosks at key entrances! These kiosks will help visitors learn about the trail’s history, connect communities, and highlight trail etiquette. Plus, new signage will feature kilometre markers, full trail maps, and local area maps to help you navigate with ease.

Your donations to the ‘Find Your Way’ campaign directly fund the creation of these kiosks and all associated signage, kilometre markers, structural assets and graphics.

If you’re passionate about trail improvements, consider making a donation. Many of our supporters donate regularly, which helps secure grants and ensures continued progress. Some families have even chosen to donate in memory of loved ones or in place of gifts for special occasions. Every gift helps preserve and enhance the trail for future generations.

Tier 1 Kiosk

Gateway Kiosk

Gateway kiosks are special access points along the trail. They anchor the Okanagan Rail Trail experience and are places of information, orientation, and celebration.

Gateway Kiosks include iconic banner signage with syilx translation, kilometre markers, information panels, and full trail maps. The signage focuses on the Nature, Culture and History of the area. Plus you’ll be able to read more information on how to volunteer or donate to this great trail as well as highlight trail etiquette. Our trail user community is diverse and it’s so important to respect others, know and follow the rules and always be alert!

Tier 2 Kiosk

Node Kiosk

Node kiosks are smaller access points that entrances and exits along the trail. They are a place for wayfinding informationand orientation.

Nodes (Tier 2 Kiosks) serve as start or end points along the Okanagan Rail Trail. Node locations may be dictated by proximity to existing key amenities such as public parking or washroom facilities. They include all Tier 1 Kiosk information except for the iconic curved signage, with syilx translation.

Tier 3 Kiosk

Major Access Points

Tier 3 Kiosks orient trail users at entrances and exits on the trail.

Major Access Points are frequently used to orient trail users with kilometre markers and mapping. The focus is to help pedestrians and cyclists locate community centres, public transportation routes, or accessible pedestrian routes.

Trail Improvements

Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail is dedicated to improving the trail experience for users and each jurisdiction. Take a look below at the projects we’ve been able to complete! Your contributions help us add essential signage, rest stations, bike racks, and more, making the trail better for everyone.

Trewhitt Point

Wood Lake Access

In the Spring of 2023, FORT Trail Ambassadors envisioned cleaning up this area, and thanks to a collaborative effort with the District of Lake Country, Central Okanagan Foundation, and FORT Fund Development, our vision has come to life! Trewhitt Point is perfect for taking a break, enjoying the view, or even a quick dip. We’ve added bike racks, rock benches, and an Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) sign. This project was completed with a large entrance marker rock in the Spring of 2024. Thanks to our Project Management team for their incredible efforts in keeping this project under budget.

Houghton Road

Node Kiosk

Working in collaboration with the City of Kelowna, fundraising dollars were used to build a our first Tier 2, Node Kiosk at Houghton Road (Km 44) in the fall of 2023. This kiosk was installed at the site of the new bridge connecting Enterprise Road with the Okanagan Rail Trail.

Km 0 Gateway

Phase 2 Now Complete

Trailheads set the stage for the trail experience, and now the rail trail has its first gateway thanks in part to community generosity.

In 2020-21, trail supporters donated to the ‘Sunflower Campaign’ and this together with grants and contributions from the Regional District of North Okanagan funded site development in 2022.