Merritt submits North Bench Crown Land Tenure application

The North Bench lands are currently within the City of Merritt, however as Crown Land, the city has no authority over the use of the land.

In early 2020, Council directed staff to hire a consultant for the North Bench project. Urban Systems was later contracted to prepare a Crown Land Tenure application for park and trails improvements and for the creation of a championship disc golf course.

Should the tenure application be accepted, the city would look to implement improved parking areas near walking and biking trails, increased signage, incorporation of local first nations cultural aspects, improvement of trails, and installation of disc golf baskets.

Council voted to submit the tenure application through an unanimous vote.

While not part of the discussion last night, the city is also working towards a neighbourhood plan for the area at a later date.