Rotary Marsh: A story of hope, hard work and conservation

In the early 1990s, Brandt's Creek in Kelowna was a neglected and polluted waterway, burdened by industrial waste, agricultural runoff and urban debris.

But John Woodworth and Art Hughes-Games spotted an opportunity. The two Rotary Club of Kelowna members had a vision — clean the water before it reaches Okanagan Lake and create a beautiful, natural space for people and wildlife by transforming the creek's estuary into a thriving marshland.

The goals were both to create a natural filtration system using settling ponds that would cleanse the creek's waters before they entered Okanagan Lake, and to establish an educational facility highlighting the ecological importance of marshlands. The project started in 1992 with the formation of a dedicated Rotary committee tasked with planning and fundraising and eventually received the go-ahead in 1994.

Rotary Marsh was born.

Construction was a big job — crews used heavy machinery to bring in large amounts of soil to shape ponds and small islands. To protect the new marsh from erosion, large rocks were strategically placed along the Okanagan Lake shoreline. Thousands of native plants and trees plus nearly 100 kilograms of wildflower seeds were planted to support the new ecosystem.

Funding came from multiple sources – local citizens, Rotary members, charitable foundations, as well as provincial and municipal governments. The total cost exceeded $1 million.

The Rotary Marsh officially opened in 1995, with a special ceremony led by the provincial Minister of Forests. Rotary Club members initially took care of the marsh, and in 1998, the City of Kelowna’s Parks Department took over maintenance. The marsh is now home to at-risk wildlife in British Columbia, including the painted turtle and great blue heron, as well as providing security and rearing habitat for fish, and nesting areas for osprey.

“Our Parks crews work hard to keep Rotary Marsh clean and healthy. They are responsible for litter and garbage pickup, as well as maintaining the vegetation, wood structures, trails and trees,” said Blair Stewart, Parks Manager with City of Kelowna.

“This special space is important for everyone — it’s a peaceful spot to enjoy nature and the importance of marshlands, it cleans the creek before it drains into Okanagan Lake and it’s a safe home for wildlife.”

The City was recently honoured by the Central Okanagan Heritage Society with a Conservation of a Neighbourhood, Streetscape or Cultural Landscape award, recognizing its outstanding efforts in conserving Rotary Marsh Park.

Melanie Steppuhn, the City’s Parks Planning and Design Manager, says the City was proud to be recognized at the 41st Annual Heritage Awards.

"This award highlights our commitment to preserving natural spaces and fostering a healthy environment for both people and wildlife. Rotary Marsh stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and dedication to environmental stewardship."