Turtle Mountain.

How Turtle Mountain took shape

Turtle Mountain is a hilltop neighbourhood of newer homes at the top of 39th Avenue in west Vernon. Wesbild bought 112 acres there in spring 2005 and began lot sales in fall 2006, laying out view lots among basalt ridges and the historic Grey Canal, with more phases approved in 2021 and 2023.

Turtle Mountain is really a rocky hill on Vernon's west side, rising between Swan Lake and the Bella Vista slopes. Dark basalt cliffs mark its ridges, and dry pockets still hold prickly pear cactus. The Grey Canal, built between 1906 and 1914 to carry water 50 km from Lavington toward Okanagan Lake, wraps around the hill, and the Turtle Mountain stretch needed siphons and a tunnel to keep the water moving. The canal ran until 1970, and its route is now a trail. The modern neighbourhood began when Wesbild bought a 112 acre parcel in spring 2005. Site preparation and lot sales started in fall 2006. The company used what it calls theatre style home sites, stepping houses so each looks out toward Okanagan Lake, Swan Lake or downtown, and it added dark sky street lighting, native planting, wildlife corridors and stormwater features.

Design guidelines steered builders toward Craftsman and Prairie styles, and Wesbild Homes built many of the houses. The hill is still filling in. In January 2021 council approved an OCP amendment and rezoning for about 185 more homes on 14 hectares at 3398 Davison Road, between Davison Orchards and the existing streets. The deal secured parkland along Tassie Creek and a Grey Canal trail link. In 2023 a 77 lot subdivision on Turtle Pond Place, on the hill's east side, went to public hearing under the East Bella Vista Highlands Neighbourhood Plan, with lots as small as 320 square metres. Today Rocky Ridge Park gives a full 360 degree view of Greater Vernon. Nearly every home here dates from 2006 or later, which makes Turtle Mountain one of the city's newest housing areas.

The homes & their setting

Almost entirely built since 2006: detached two storey homes and walkout bungalows in Craftsman and Prairie styles, many by Wesbild Homes, under neighbourhood design guidelines. Wesbild reports 168 homes serviced to date. Newer phases add smaller lots and a multifamily site. Mostly freehold.

Building age, tenure, amenities and permitted uses vary by address. Explore the actual property documents with Elaine and the appropriate specialists.

Places with a story

• Grey Canal Trail: Turtle Mountain — Follows the 1906 to 1914 irrigation canal, which needed siphons and a tunnel to pass the hill. History source
• Rocky Ridge Park — Lookout with a 360 degree view over Greater Vernon. History source