Kelowna park opens after 10 year battle

Friday marked the grand opening of the brand new Gerstmar Park in the city’s Rutland area, a park that has been a long time coming.

When the city bought the five acre parcel of land more than 10 years ago, it allocated it as future park land but that plan quickly changed.

Park supporter Paul Pierron says the city decided they were going to use the land for a utility yard for Rutland Water Works, an idea that angered area residents.

Pierron decided to take the issue to city hall and the ensuing fight over the park lasted more than a decade.

After petitions and countless meetings, the efforts finally paid off: The park now comes with a playground, tennis courts and bathrooms.

Mayor Sharon Shepherd says supporters of the park took all the right steps to fight for what they believed in.

Shepherd says the advocates presented petitions to the city and presented the ways in which the park could serve the neighbourhood.

Area resident Esther Breckenridge says she’s glad city staff are looking at the city’s future and are saving land for parks.

Meanwhile, Pierron got a surprise from the city for his efforts: a bench displaying his name to commemorate all the time he put in to get the park built.