Agenda Package - City of Vernon

lnternational Car Free Day event which featured a toonie barbecue, live entedainment and a
walk through downtown with the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band. Staff would prepare a Car
Free Day event in 2011 that focuses on encouraging green methods of transpoftation and
continues to attract all community members with a focus on transit and pedestrians.
Rivers Day
Since 2008 Vernon has celebrated this international event along with millions of people around
the world. Since its inception in Burnaby, BC in 1980, Rivers Day has spread to include
celebrations on six continents and in dozens of countries. ln BC alone over 100,000 people
celebrate Rivers Day at more than 100 community events on the last Sunday of every
September. ln addition to youth participation, Rivers Day offers an oppoÉunity to connect
community members and share information about local initiatives. The activities of community
groups are highlighted and public awareness is raised around our water resources and the
many benefits they provide to us.
Vernon has hosted Rivers Day events annually since 2008. Since 2009, the Vernon Rivers
Day celebration has taken place at Kin Beach Park from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each year it
has grown to involve more community members and offer additional activities such as
interactive games and activities; information about the region's watenryays; community creek
clean-ups; paddling demonstrations; live musical performances by local youth; community
education; and refreshments. ln 2010, members of the Okanagan lndian Band provided a
welcoming prayer and songs. Sunday, September 25,2011 Rivers Day activities would build
past successes.
Carpool Week
ln suppofi of Carpool Week, the City of Vernon encourages commuters to consÍder using the
free carpool matching service provided online at www.Carpool.ca. There are currently over 200
commuters travelling regularly between Vernon and Kelowna registered on this secure, userfriendly
service, and approximately 1000 participants throughout the Thompson/Okanagan
region. As registration grows, carpooling becomes an increasingly viable transportation
alternative for comm uters.
ln 2009, the City of Vernon joined with Kelowna and Kamloops to host the second annual
Carpool Week from November 16 to 20. Commuters were encouraged to visit the website
www.Carpool.ca and make an on-line pledge to carpool. All pledges received during the month
of November were entered into a draw for a variety of prizes, including a chance to win $300 in
fuel. The event drew an additional 34 participants for the Vernon region.
The organizers of Carpool.ca celebrated 10 years of service in 2010 by launching a new
website and services in time for the Thompson/Okanagan Carpool Week from November 1 to
5. Results of 2010 Carpool Week campaign should be available late December.For2011,a
similar campaign would take place one week earlier, from October 24 to 28 to avoid any
conflict with Halloween.
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