File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Parks and Trails

TNRD Board greenlights first-ever parks and trails strategic plan

Jul 18, 2025 | 10:49 AM

KAMLOOPS — A plan to guide the development, management and operation of parks and trails within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) for the next 10 years has been approved.

The TNRD Board of Directors voted Thursday (July 17) to adopt the district’s first ever Parks and Trails Strategic Plan. It says it collaborated with First Nations, residents, stakeholders, and communities at large through a number of public engagement opportunities held last year and in the early part of 2025.

The 10-year plan includes six goals with 23 total recommendations. The goals are:

1. Fostering government-to-government relationships with Indigenous communities
2. Supporting local outdoor recreation organizations that build, maintain, and manage parks, trails and supporting amenities in the region
3. Improving collaboration with non-profits, industry, and other levels of government
4. Establishing management and maintenance tools to ensure the long-term sustainability of parks and trails.
5. Enhancing park experiences for all visitors
6. Increasing the supply of TNRD parks and trails

Speaking during Thursday’s TNRD’s board meeting, Jamie Vieira, the General Manager of Operations said there are no direct cost implications with adopting the plan. However, he noted the TNRD will discuss specific costs as staff look at specific recommendations.

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“There’s a high-level implementation plan that has priority ranking and timeframe, but a more detailed implementation plan would be required, and that would be led by staff,” Vieira said. “First step would be identifying some quick wins, what can be implemented with existing resources and budget, and then identifying what’s recommended to start next and we start integrating that into our budgeting process.”

The TNRD’s parks and trails system includes 12 community parks and trails, two regional parks, the South Thompson River buoy system and 19 undeveloped parks. The park sizes range from 0.09 to 109 hectares.

“Historically, TNRD parks were developed as stand-alone projects, often at the request of specific community groups. Many of these parks are located in the North Thompson Valley,” the TNRD said.

“The Parks and Trails Strategic Plan will ensure there is a strategic approach and adequate resources to developing community or regional parks and recreation infrastructure for the entire region. This Plan will also support grant funding applications for capital projects at new or existing parks.”

You can find the TNRD’s 10-year Parks and Trails Strategic Plan here.