There are plans to reinvigorate Fintry’s heritage buildings by turning back the clock to agriculture.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan will apply to B.C. Parks for a land swap so farming can take place and generate funds for the Friends of Fintry Park Society.

“We want to get the farm back to the what it was when James Dun-Waters (Fintry founder) was operating,” said director James Baker.

“It’s quite conceivable to get something going on the lower farm that would generate revenue and support the activities of the Friends of Fintry.”

Among the assets Friends of Fintry are responsible for are the site’s heritage manor and barn.

RDCO has offered to swap 129.5 hectares of land above Westside Road, which is part of Fintry Provincial Park but is owned by the regional district, for a lowland field. The field is part of the park  but not used by B.C. Parks.

If RDCO owns the field, commercial farm sales could occur because B.C. Parks’ policies currently don’t allow items to be taken out of a park. Under the rules, that could pertain to vegetables and fruit grown there.

Director Jim Edgson supports the land swap and says a farm could make more people aware of Fintry Provincial Park.

“It would be part of the historical ambiance for the park,” he said.

“The regional district wants to enhance the park and go back to the agricultural roots of Fintry.”

Dun-Waters purchased the Short’s Creek delta in 1909 and named it after his Scottish home of Fintry. He was known for his keen interest in agriculture, including apples and livestock.