A Crown land grant worth $80,000 is the last piece of the puzzle for a proposed park in the Village of Canal Flats. The park will be located at the northeast intersection of Burns Avenue and Grainger Road and will feature trees, pathways, benches and grassed areas.

“I am so pleased to receive this Crown grant of land in support of Canal Flats,” Mayor of Canal Flats Ute Juras said in a news release. “It will be great for people to be able to use this park as a way to build and maintain a sense of community.”

The village had purchased two lots for the proposed park in 2005 and the Province’s land grant of two adjacent lots will now allow for expansion plans to take place.

The land grant is through the Sponsored Crown Grant Program, which has a mandate of addressing green priorities for community as well as enhancing economic development and safety improvements.

“The Province is committed to supporting local governments in their efforts to develop more green spaces and recreation amenities for B.C. families to enjoy,” Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong said in the release.  “Parks encourage people to get out, enjoy the fresh air, take walks or go for a picnic — all activities that contribute to a healthier lifestyle.”

The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development has yearly allocations to sponsor Crown grants or nominal rent tenures for local governments and community organizations, stated the release. Once a sponsoring ministry agrees to sponsor a grant, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations manages the land transfer process.

For more information, visit cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/gov_structure/sponsored_crown_grants/index.htm.