As winter settles in and snow begins to blanket the beach and mountains, we have been working diligently to ensure a seamless transition for Rainbow Park enthusiasts. Here are the latest updates and details on what to expect this winter:
While the main beach and lawn areas of Rainbow Park will remain closed this winter, the Valley Trail through Rainbow Park will re-open to the public. This section will be unmaintained through the winter, as grooming this area for Nordic Skiing would delay the snow melt and subsequent construction in the spring, so please exercise caution. The opening is intended to provide easy lake access for skaters, dog walkers and those transitioning from Alta Lake Road to the end of Lorimer Road.
Groomed Valley Trail
Good news for Nordic skiers! Bundle up and grab your skis, the Valley Trail from Meadow Park Sports Centre to the north edge of Rainbow Park will be groomed for your enjoyment. The Valley Trail within Rainbow Park will remain unmaintained this winter to avoid snow melt delays in the spring and prevent damages to the new surfaces beneath. Please exercise caution.
Lake Access at Rainbow Park
Skaters and dog-walkers can continue to access the lake at Rainbow Park via the off-leash dog area, which will remain open throughout the winter. Access will be provided via unmaintained trails from the parking lot, as well as from the Nordic groomed trail turnaround at the north end of the park.
Construction Updates
The Rainbow Park Rejuvenation Project is on track and is currently 80 per cent complete, remaining on budget and on schedule. Here’s a quick overview of what has been accomplished and what’s yet to come:
Completed Construction Works
- Completion of new water lines and irrigation system installed
- Valley Trail paved and pedestrian pathways completed
- Expanded beach area finalized, including sand placement and tree installations
- Concrete work for site furniture (picnic areas, banner poles, shade poles, and a volleyball court)
- Arrival area, beach and dock attachment installations finalised
Outstanding Construction Works
As we look ahead to spring:
- The Valley Trail will temporarily re-close for two to three weeks for lawn and plant installations which will need time to establish themselves
- Additional work includes electrical work, completion of sanitary sewer connections, finalizing hard surface areas, and installing various amenities such as wood fencing, picnic tables, benches, waste receptacles and shade sails
- The final steps include completing paving, irrigation, fine grading of planters and grass areas, installing split rail fencing and line painting on the Valley Trail
We appreciate your patience throughout the construction period and are thrilled to announce that the Rainbow Park Rejuvenation Project is on track, with a grand opening planned for summer 2024. Please be aware that weather conditions during the spring startup may impact the schedule.
We can’t wait to welcome you back in summer 2024 to enjoy the rejuvenated Rainbow Park in all its glory!
The RMOW remains grateful to the Province of British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program.
The entire cost of construction for all three phases of the Rainbow Park Rejuvenation project is being covered by the Province of British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program, which invests in growing tourism. It will not impact local property tax bills.
The Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program is managed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. The program is intended to support small, tourism-based municipalities to build and diversify their tourism infrastructure, deliver exceptional visitor experiences and incorporate sustainable tourism practices and products.
