McDonalds Landing

McDonalds Landing is the location of a former sternwheeler landing. It includes a wharf (renovated in 2011) within a 0.19 ha water lot, issued by the Provincial Government. The wharf itself consists of a 52m timber approach, steel gangway, 8m gangway float, and a 20m mooring float. The park is located along the northern shores of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, approximately 10 km north of Nelson, BC. Access is off Highway 3A where it meets Six Mile Road , via McDonalds Landing Road , and is designated a Waterfront Access Park in the RDCK Official Regional Parks Plan. McDonalds Landing was acquired from the Federal Government Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Small Craft Harbours Branch) as part of a larger Nation-wide divestiture process in 2011. Purpose for Regional Park designation is to foster the existing public uses for walking, sight seeing, and boating/fishing access. It will also continue to be used as a staging area for access to Camp Koolaree (Kootenay Lake Religious Education, est. 1931), owned by the United Church of Canada, located on the opposite side of the lake. Potential future uses may include public moorage rentals and use agreements with local clubs or associations. The name “McDonalds Landing” was named after Duncan A. McDonald in 1864.

The Purpose and Operations Statement provides the direction for planning, management and development of McDonalds Landing. Implementation of this POS is of an operational nature, with follow-through on an as-needed basis and dependent on the availability of financial and staffing capacity.

Morning Mountain

Morning Mountain is located in the rural community of Blewett, approximately 4km west of the City of Nelson, via Blewett Road. The facility is accessed via Blewett Ski Hill Road which is a gravel road that switchbacks for 1km to the parking area. Morning Mountain is owed by the Province of BC and is operated as a public recreational facility through a Licence of Occupation (LoO). The LoO was signed on July 29, 2009 by both the Province of BC and the RDCK. The facility has minimal development, and is used primarily by local residents. The purpose of the facility is to foster the existing year round public recreational activities. It is well used by local cyclists, and is the staging area for the yearly Fat Tire festival mountain bike event. Prior to its use as a public recreation area, it was operated as a small local ski hill. The ski hill began operations in 1974 with the installation of a small T-bar lift. The Blewett Recreation Society successfully operated the lift until the lack of snow and deteriorating financial position led to its closure after the 1996/7 ski season. In 1999 the lodge was completely destroyed by fire. Given the changing climate and volunteer fatigue, the community made the decision to accept the insurance payout for the facility, not rebuild the ski lodge and to cease operations of the hill.

The Purpose and Operations Statement provides the direction for planning, management and development of Morning Mountain. Implementation of this POS is of an operational nature, with follow-through on an as-needed basis and dependent on the availability of financial and staffing capacity.