Kamloops residents spot mask-wearing dragons along hiking trail

If you're going for a hike in Kamloops, keep an eye out for dragons.

Locals have spotted little painted dragon sculptures along a trail in Barnhartvale, wearing masks and painted with cheery slogans.

Doug Flach is the artist behind these creations, and he's been making and selling them for 28 years through his business Dragon Works.

"I just retired about two years ago, but I had some stock left over," he said. "I thought maybe I could put some little masks on them and put them out along the trail."

After seeing some pictures of fairy houses popping up along other trails, Flach was inspired to bring some magic to those in his own community.

"We’ve been walking that area for years, and we know that since the pandemic, a lot of people are coming out from all over the place now to do that walk," he said.

Flach has placed about 20 dragons on the trail at the Dallas-Barnhartvale Nature Park.

However, he has noticed that a few have gone missing.

"People must have really liked them and wanted to take them home," he said.

Some people who walk the trail frequently were upset some dragons had been taken, but Flach isn't too concerned.

"I’m assuming they went to a good home," he said. "I’ll just keep putting them out, I still have some stock."

The dragons are sculpted out of clay, fired in a kiln and painted. Flach used some putty to put masks on his creations, and painted their signs with words from B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, like "Be calm, be kind, be safe."

Some locals who found the dragons posted pictures of them on Facebook, and others commented that they'd like to purchase some of their own.

Flach said he is now retired, however, and won't be making anymore until closer to Christmas.

He is happy that people are enjoying his dragons on the trails, and now has more time for yard work.