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Centennial Park partially reopens effective immediately

The spray park, public washrooms, playground and tennis court are all now accessible

The District of 100 Mile House was happy to announce on Friday, July 10 that Centennial Park is partially reopening this summer.

Closed due to the flooding that the Cariboo experienced in the Spring and COVID-19 concerns, the park is now largely open including the splash park, playground, public washroom and the tennis court.

The remainder of Centennial Park, however, including the Bridge Creek Falls trail is still closed due to the high water levels of Bridge Creek. The District asks residents using the park to respect all barriers they have put in place for the purpose of public safety.

It wasn’t even two hours since the announcement via the district’s Facebook page that people could already be found sunbathing, walking their dog and playing in the spray park in the partially cloudy sunlight. Among them were the families of Kim Vance-Lundsbye and Melissa Hermiston.

As their children played, Lundsbye said that as a mother of three the park reopening was very welcome news. Typically during the summer, she said her family comes to Centennial Park all the time at least five days a week by her count.

After COVID-19 shutdowns and being stuck to their own yards, Vance-Lundsbye said she thinks it’s nice to have the spray park and playground open as a place for children to blow off some steam.

“I really think that the park is safe with the blue fencing that they’ve put in. As a parent, I feel more comfortable with that creek fenced off,” Vance-Lundsbye said, referring to the fence that now separates the rest of the park from Bridge Creek which has still burst its banks.

When asked how it feels to see her children playing and running around, Vance-Lundsbye’s response was immediate.

“It’s nice to see them play in a way that would feel normal for them this summer. I think we’re lucky to live in a small town really where it feels safe to come to a public playground,” Vance-Lundsbye said. “I feel really comfortable to be out in the community, especially in the summertime.”



patrick.davies@wltribune.com

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Patrick Davies

About the Author: Patrick Davies

An avid lover of theatre, media, and the arts in all its forms, I've enjoyed building my professional reputation in 100 Mile House.
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