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Christie
Memorial
Christie Memorial Provincial Park is located on the south end of
Skaha Lake in the small Okanagan community of Okanagan
Falls. The park is named after RCAF Pilot Officer, Robert G.
Christie, who was killed in action on September 23, 1943, the only
serviceman from Okanagan Falls to die in the course of World War
II.
Travelling
Here
To get to Christie Memorial Provincial Park from Penticton,
travel south approximately 20 km (13 miles) or from Oliver,
then go 21.5 km (13.5 miles) north on Hwy 97 to Okanagan Falls.
The small park is situated at the corner of Cedar Avenue and 7th
Street in Okanagan Falls, situated along the southern lakeshore
of Skaha Lake.
Park
Highlights
The main highlights found at Christie Memorial Provincial Park are
the white sandy beach and the opportunity of water sport activities
available in Skaha Lake. The outdoor activities available at the
park include speed boating, waterskiing, windsurfing, kayaking,
canoeing and with the appropriate licence fishing opportunities,
there are bass, perch and trout available. The swimming area has
no lifeguards but is enclosed by buoys making it fairly safe for
small kids with the beach having both a sand and grassy area for
family fun.
Facilities
at Christie Memorial
Besides the beach area found at Christie Memorial, the park contains
a large number of picnic tables available for having lunch or a
special family event. There is a large washroom facility close-by,
open during the summer season, for changing with flush toilets and
tap water available (boiling water at certain times may be required
for drinking).
Okanagan
Falls Trestle Bridge
The recreational activities close to Christie Memorial Provincial
Park include access to the nearby cycling trail found next to Hwy
97 near the mouth of the Okanagan River. Here you can find the Okanagan
Falls Trestle Bridge which at one time was part of the CPR's Kettle
Valley Railway Osoyoos Subdivision which rail line went from Penticton
to Osoyoos. The trestle which crosses Skaha Lake, which was fully
restored in 2,000 links up with the abandoned KVR right-of-way forming
a trail that goes north along the west side of the lake through
Kaleden all the way to Penticton coming out at Wright's Beach Camp
RV Park on Hwy 97.
Places
Close by to Visit
Other places close by to Christie Memorial Provincial Park where
you can visit include another lakeside beach situated next door
at Kenyon Regional Park, the flea market on Hwy 97 going through
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Falls Museum and Tickleberry's Ice Cream
on Hwy 97, the self-guided tour at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical
Observatory located on White Lake Road towards Kaleden
and rock climbing and exploring in Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park
situated on the east side of Skaha Lake near Penticton.
Okanagan
Falls Provincial Park
There is no camping allowed at Christie Memorial Provincial Park
with the nearest government facility only 1.5 km (one mile) away
on Green Lake Road at Okanagan Falls Provincial Park. Here you can
find a small-size campground with 25 vehicle-accessible places available.
The campground is an easy walk to either the beach at Christie Memorial
Provincial Park or Kenyon Regional Park.
Private
Campgrounds Nearby
There are also a couple of private campgrounds close by to Christie
Memorial Provincial Park on Skaha Lake at Sun & Sand RV Park
or Playa Okanagan RV Park, Banbury Green and Camp-Along just north
of the turnoff Kaleden on Hwy 97, only a short distance away. For
non-campers, try the Holiday Park Resort Motel located next door
to the park or reserve a spot in a number of B&B's in Okanagan
Falls.
Wildlife
Precautions
Just a reminder that you have still to be aware of bears or other
wildlife coming into contact with humans in the park. Also, during
certain times of the year, especially in the spring between March
and June, wood ticks are prevalent in the low shrubs and tall grass
in and around Christie Memorial Provincial Park and necessary precautions
have to be taken.
BC
Parks
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