A man whose heart was firmly planted in nature is being remembered for his key role in preserving a jewel of the Okanagan. Ray Worley is one of the people responsible for the creation of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. At 84 years old, Worley died June 29, 2024.
Prior to his passing, Worley lived next to the vast 3,200 hectare Kal Park, a place he loved to walk in and enjoy. So much so that he helped ensure the park would remain a public place for all to enjoy. "It was through the efforts of Ray and a few others almost 50 years ago that Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park exists today," said Peter Horsley, past president of the Friends of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Society (FKLPPS).
"They lobbied for the province of B.C. to buy the initial parcel of land from the Coldstream Ranch to establish the park.
Which they did in 1975." Born in New Zealand, Ray went on to travel the world before settling in Vernon with his family. He taught English and German and later worked for the B.
C. Teachers Federation. He joined the Vernon Naturalists and Vernon Outdoors Clubs in the 1970s.
Along with advocating for the establishment of Kal Park, Worsley was a founding member and president of FKLPPS. “What draws me there is the variety,” . “There are several micro-climates, beautiful beaches, several hiking trails and it’s a wonderful example of natural grasslands.
“It’s the people’s park,” said Worley, who earned the B.C. Park's Volunteer Legacy Award in 2018.
Horsley first met W.
