A Brief History of Kaloya Regional Park (On Kalamalka Lake)

Kaloya Regional Park is a beautiful little promontory of land extending out into the many-coloured waters of Kalamalka Lake. It has a beautiful trail loop, splendid beaches and a new playground for young children (it also has washrooms!).

Often used by the Okanagan Indians throughout history, one of the first recorded mentions of the land is that of Albert Geer buying it in 1904. Eventually Egbert and Annie Trask bought it in 1908. The Trask’s named it “Iris Point”  (aka Trask Point) and it was known as such for many years.

The Trasks had moved from Nova Scotia to Washington State and eventually came to the Oyama area. They became entranced with the southern end of Kalamalka Lake, planted an orchard on their new property and soon became active citizens in Oyama. Annie was, in fact, one of the founding members of the Kalamalka Women’s Institute and its chairperson. The KWI was a community organization that would prove especially helpful during the Great War when “convalescent soldiers were entertained by members of the Institute at the President‟s home,—“Iris Point”.” (Tweedsmuir’s History of Lake Country p.7)

There is now a cairn where the Trask house used to be. It reads:

"This cairn honours Mrs. Annie L. Trask. 

Outstanding pioneer woman who founded the Kalamalka Women's Institute in Oyama B.C., February 26th, 1914. The cairn rests on the footings of the original Trask home built in 1908. It also commemorates the 75th anniversary of the K.W.I. , 1914-1989, and recognizes their continued service for "Home and Country". 

In the Okanagan Historical Society Report of 1967 (p.190) there is listed a Dr. James McAnulty living at “Kaloya pt”. The land that now hosts Kaloya Regional Park was purchased by Al Harrison of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan in 1975. Mr. Harrison was responsible for acquiring the land for many of the parks in the RDCO including Reiswig Park, Kopje Park, and the Fintry Estates.

According to the Lake Country Museum: “Kaloya Regional Park was one of the earliest parks purchased by the RDCO. It was purchased on January 10th, 1975 for $200,000 from Overseas Diamond Sales Ltd, a development company.” (December 1, 2012 blog by Carol Thompson)

It is presumed that the name “Kaloya” is derived from a combination of “Kalamalka” and Oyama” although I have yet to find a source to confirm this…

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul..." 

Psalm 23


For more Kalamalka history check out our booklet and Facebook page: "Kalamalka: A History"