Image: Supplied by Skawahlook First Nation / Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park east of Agassiz will receive $350,000 from the B.C. government to expand and enhance the park. Several wooden sculptures can be found throughout the hidden treasure Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Adventure Park

Hidden treasure Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park east of Agassiz to be expanded thanks to provincial funding

Aug 18, 2022 | 9:30 AM

AGASSIZ — A cherished outdoor adventure park for children, families and outdoor enthusiasts, nestled between Agassiz and Hope, will be getting a boost from the provincial government towards a substantial expansion and enhancement.

The Government of B.C. announced Thursday morning that it will provide $350,000 to Skawahlook First Nation to help with the expansion of the Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park east of Agassiz along Highway 7.

The funding allocation will help pay for a host of new features at the park including a treehouse accommodation, a picnic shelter, carving shed, and amenities for holding events and festivals. New market stalls, new nature trails and a pedestrian bridge are cornerstones of the provincially funded expansion.

Image: Supplied by Skawahlook First Nation / Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park east of Agassiz will receive $350,000 from the B.C. government to enhance the park with a host of new features and amenities.

“The Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook) First Nation is very grateful to have received funding through the rural development grants,” said Sharron Young, managing director, Skawahlook First Nation. “Our projects are now underway to install all necessary infrastructure for a permanent public bathroom and [are] preparing for the additional amenities to be added to the park.”

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The Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park opened in September 2018 to serve the local trails and recreation community, according to the Skawahlook First Nation website. The park is located on the traditional land and territory of Sq’ewá:lxw First Nation. The name was chosen due to the scree slope at the north end of the park where large rocks have been falling from the mountain for thousands of years.

Image: Supplied by Skawahlook First Nation / Syéxw Chó:leqw Adventure Park is a mecca for families, young children and outdoor enthusiasts.

The park, which was constructed with the assistance and expertise of First Journey Trails, offers 4,000 metres of walking and cycling trails, a bike skills park, viewing platforms, a 90,000-square foot playground, as well as other supporting facilities. Visitors can also enjoy the many art installations throughout the park in the form of mural paintings and wood sculptures. There are several carvings in the park for visitors to appreciate.

The B.C. government is supporting tourism and infrastructure in the region with $1.5 million in rural development grants supported by the StrongerBC Economic Plan.

As part of these grants, the Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem meeting and retreat centre upgrade project is receiving $500,000 to help position the centre as a diverse asset in the community. The upgraded facility will act as a hub for cultural tourism, providing catering services and other economic ventures.

Another tourism destination in the region will also see a facelift. More than $650,000 has been provided to the Kilby Heritage Society for a pathway-to-sustainability project that will improve and expand the Kilby Historic Site and campground. The funding will connect the two properties with an interpretive trail, resulting in the development of new programs, and enhance the visitor experience, further supporting the local economy.

“The Fraser Valley is home to a wonderful Indigenous tourism industry, and that’s why we’re supporting the great work of local Indigenous communities as this sector continues to grow and expand,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “I am pleased to see this boost from the Province, and I can’t wait to see the results as these improvements will build on all of the splendour the region has to offer.”