A park 15 years in the making opened to the public in Kelowna on Saturday, May 3.

After being in the works since 2010, and picking up steam in 2022, DeHart Park officially opened to the public with hundreds of people in attendance.

"This is your park," said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas to the crowd, calling it a great day for the Lower Mission and entire city. He added it's the perfect timing for the park to open ahead of the summer.

"The version for this park began in 2010 and was advanced by this council in 2022," added Dyas. "It is designed with community in mind and built to reflect what residents told us they wanted to see in a neighbourhood park."

Dyas and City of Kelowna general manager of infrastructure Mac Logan both echoed the project wouldn't have been possible without funding through Development Cost Charges (DCC), which is a charge to help offset the city's cost. 

"We had the opportunity and the budget to put lots of features in the park," said Logan. "Really a great example of how the community can get what they want a park."

DeHart Park is nine acres in size. The city broke ground on the project on June 26, 2024.

Logan revealed the city bought the land close to 25 years ago, with initial plans in 2010 and was "kicked into gear" in 2022 when the design was created. He added the project's detailed design and construction cost just over $10 million. 

The park is a space for people of all ages and abilities and features pickleball and tennis courts, a fenced dog park, an outdoor fitness space, a parkour area, a water park, a playground, a picnic area, parking for food trucks with power, a multi-use field, a walking loop, a basketball court, ping pong and foosball, and a skateboarding area.

"It's a bit exceptional," said Logan. "We had more community input on this park than any other park I can recall."

A couple of features of the park remain under construction, including washrooms, and the future pump track for BMX and mountain biking. Logan also said the city has had to kick eager kids off the pump track over the last couple of weeks, as they've tried to use it even though it's not complete yet.

Additionally, a community garden is on the site and was there before the park was built. Many trees on the property were preserved as well, including one that is believed to be 200 years old. The city also planted 250 new trees and 11,000 new plants.

"I'm really thrilled, I knew that today would be a great day," added Logan. "It just proves that people want this kind of space in the city... I can't think of one that I've done that had this many people at it."

City of Kelowna divisional director Derek Edstrom called the park a "hub of activity."

As part of the opening, the city had a new ribbon for the ribbon cutting which can tear into two pieces, so it can be reused at multiple events. Also, Westbank artist and knowledge keeper and member of the syilx Okanagan Nation Krystal performed a song.

According to Dyas, the city is set to spend $150 million on infrastructure projects. $28 million of that is going towards 23 park projects in the city.