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Media News re trails 2009
Dec. 22, 2009, Springbrook-Waskasoo Life online magazine
County Agrees to Purchase
Mintlaw Trestle for $1
Red Deer County council today unanimously agreed to purchase the
former Alberta Central Railway Mintlaw trestle west of Springbrook from
Canadian Pacific Railway for $1 in exchange for a tax receipt for $8.8
million, determined to be the current value of the structure.
The bridge across the Red Deer River has been identified as a
heritage site and an important landmark in the county. It was built in
1911-1912, leased to Canadian Pacific in 1913, acquired by CPR in 1957
with the last train crossing it in 1981. At 2,112 ft., it is the second
longest CPR steel trestle bridge in the province. In the future, the
County will determine if the bridge is suitable for recreation use as a
pedestrian bridge. The 2010 budget allows for the acquisition of
right-of-way on each side of the 32-span structure.
Earlier in the year, the County, in the Open Spaces Master Plan,
had identified the former Alberta Central Railway right-of-way between
Red Deer and Benalto as a future recreational and agri-tourism trail.
Oct. 28, 2009, Ponoka News
MP announces federal funding for
footbridge
The federal government is providing bridge financing for a bridge
in Ponoka.
Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins announced Oct. 14 that the Town of
Ponoka will receive federal funding to construct a pedestrian bridge
over the Battle River.
"This investment I'm very excited about because it will improve the
quality of life right here in Ponoka," he said. "This bridge will make
the experience of visiting the river valley all the more attractive and
enhance people's experience."
The new 140-foot long bridge will come off the new 57th Avenue
train crossing.
The pedestrian bridge project is funded to a total of $500,000:
$185,000 from National Trails Coalition; $86,000 from Trans Canada
Trail; $100,000 from Alberta TrailNet; with the balance to be paid by
the Town of Ponoka.
"The Government of Canada is providing $185,000 to develop this
bridge that will improve safety and link the trails on both sides of the
river," said Calkins. "As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, we are
boosting local economies by creating jobs and enhancing trails for
outdoor enthusiasts."
"Now with this money, it makes the project viable," said deputy
mayor John Jacobs. "It's something we can proceed with. This is great
news for us."
Jacobs said the trails through Ponoka's river valley are part of
the TransCanada Trail system.
Funding for a footbridge over the Blindman River was also announced
Oct. 14. That will help create a trail linking Penhold to Ponoka.
This project is supported through the Government of Canada's $25
million investment in recreational trails, part of the Economic Action
Plan. The government's investment is matched by the NTC and provincial,
territorial, municipal and private funding partners.
Calkins said Prime Minister Stephen Harper was awarded the highest
honour granted by the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO)
for delivering on his commitment to expand Canada's network of national
trails through the Economic Action Plan.
Will's Welding is constructing the bridge in its Ponoka shop. Will
Dillen told the group at the announcement at the the town hall that the
main centre section of the structure has been built and the piles are in
the ground at the site along the river.
"There should be no problem meeting the March 31 deadline," he
said.
Dillen said the infrastructure program has had the intended effect
of keeping Albertans working. With the slow economy, he considered
laying off staff.
"Because we knew it (bridge project) we were able to keep the staff
on," Dillen said. "Some of the guys breathed a sigh of relief because
they thought they would be getting pink slips and they didn't."
Oct. 19, 2009, Red Deer Advocate, by Laura Tester
Lacombe in Motion event raises
money for trails
A seasoned marathoner is on the run to improve trails around six
Lacombe lakes and ponds.
Lacombe resident Bill Nielsen helped organize Sunday's first annual
Lacombe in Motion Walk/Run involving more than 200 participants.
He said the community event's proceeds will go towards developing
new trails, improving existing ones, setting up outdoor workout stations
along several main trails, along with other possible improvements. Final
fundraising tally wasn't known on Sunday.
Trail development is important to people's well-being, Nielsen
added.
"People can get exercise either running, walking or biking on these
trails," said Nielsen, 69. "You have a sense of going back to nature."
Nielsen is a longtime fitness advocate, completing his 100th
marathon in 2008 at the age of 67. Over the last 12 years, he carved out
15 km of trails using a grub hoe and other tools.
The paths exist around Elizabeth Lake, Little Barnett Lake, Barnett
Lake, Lake Anne, Henner's Pond and Cranna Lake.
Some trails are made with wood chips, while others are asphalt and
dirt.
"We can make the trails around Henner's Pond wider, we can put wood
chips down on the dirt trails and maybe extend the trails," Nielsen
said.
Nielsen said the trails could extend north as the town expands and
additional ones could be built on the CUC campus. New ones could also
connect with the Trans Canada Trail network to the south, where trails
are being built from Penhold to Blackfalds, Lacombe and Ponoka.
Both the Town of Lacombe and Canadian University College help
maintain the trails developed by Nielsen.
During the Woody's RV World Marathon and Half Marathon banquet this
year, world-class ultramarathoner Scott Jurek raved about the trails,
while on a run with Nielsen.
"The trails around Cranna Lake are well used, but the rest aren't,"
said Nielsen. "So this is why we wanted to hold this race -- we want to
draw awareness to the trails."
The run began and finished at the college campus. Participants took
a two-km, five-km, 10-km and 21-km distance route.
The college's running club, in partnership with community members,
planned the race in co-operation with the municipality.
Oct. 16, 2009, Red Deer Advocate Local Briefs
Grant provided for bridge
The Town of Ponoka has received a federal grant of $185,000 to
build a pedestrian bridge over the Battle River on its portion of the
Trans Canada Trail.
To be administered by the National Trails Coalition, the grant
dovetails with an announcement on Tuesday that Lacombe County would
receive $50,000 to build a pedestrian bridge where the original C&E
Trail crosses the Blindman River, south of Blackfalds.
Both projects fall within the Central Alberta Regional Trail
Society's intention to create 70.6 km of trail through Red Deer, Lacombe
and Ponoka Counties, including 5.2 km of trail within the Town of Ponoka.
Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins announced Ponoka's share of the
funding at the town office on Wednesday afternoon. The federal
government, under its economic recovery program, has set aside $25
million to build recreational trails.
Please visit www.tctrail.ca to
learn more about the Trans Canada Trail network.
Oct. 14, 2009, Red Deer Advocate, by Brenda Kossowan
Call in the army
Funding falling in place for trail project including a military-built
bridge deck
Army engineers and an injection of cash from the federal government
will help kick-start the Lacombe County leg of the Trans Canada Trail.
Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins announced Tuesday that the federal
government will provide $50,000 toward building a pedestrian bridge at
the southern boundary of Lacombe County where the C&E Trail meets the
Blindman River.
The new bridge will go in the spot where a traffic bridge was torn
out a number of years ago, said Phil Lodermeier, operations manager for
the county.
His department is seeking $225,000 from the county's 2010 budget
for the first phase of the trail, taking it from the Blindman River to
the Town of Blackfalds.
Alberta TrailNet has contributed $100,000 toward the project and
Trans Canada Trail has provided $51,040. Lacombe County committed
$50,000 earlier this year for building materials.
While county workers will lay the bridge foundation this winter,
members of the Corps of Engineers will build the bridge deck and install
the handrails in spring, said Lodermeier.
"They quite willingly volunteered. I guess they do this on occasion
and it's good practice for them," he said.
The bridge deck will be about 2.5 metres wide, just narrow enough
to discourage people from trying to drive quads or trucks across.
A second phase will take the trail to Lacombe and then there will
be two more phases from Lacombe to Morningside, where the trail will
meet the Ponoka County leg, said Lodermeier.
"The Trans Canada Trail will eventually stretch from Penhold to
Ponoka."
Lodermeier anticipates that Lacombe County's share of the project
will take roughly four years to complete.
Calkins was to announce similar funding today for the Ponoka County
leg of the trail, which will include a pedestrian bridge over the Battle
River.
Funding for the trail projects comes from a total of $25 million
for recreational trails provided under the Conservative government's
Economic Action Plan.
Funds for the projects are being administered by the National
Trails Coalition.
Sept. 29, 2009, Springbrook Waskasoo Life online magazine
County Starts Construction of Springbrook Park Trail System
Red
Deer County has started construction of a trail system in the treed and
meadow natural area south of the hamlet of Springbrook and Airport
Drive. The main spine of the trails is part of the Trans Canada Trail
system with branch trails emanating from it and will connect with the
town of Penhold along Range Road 271.
Residents of the area have been
looking forward to the trail for several years. The county purchased the
natural area a few years ago when it was in the running for the
provincial police college. Some trails are expected to be paved and a
lookout is expected to be constructed near the wetland. Funding for the
trails has come from a variety of sources including the Trans Canada
Trail Foundation and Alberta TrailNet.
Sept. 5, 2009, Red Deer Advocate, Editorial by Rick Zemanek
The trail to discovery
(bouquet) to the troops of the Canadian Forces who are mobilizing
in Central Alberta to help blaze the way for a portion of the
Trans-Canada Trail.
This trail is of immense importance to all Canadians, and a boon to
the tourist industry, by offering first-hand a rare glimpse of the
'innards' of Canada.
It will wind through the countryside, exposing natural wonders.
Its easily hiked trails will lead young and old through the heart
and soul of this great country's flora and fauna.
It's vital that all provinces, municipalities and citizens -- be
they rural or urban dwellers -- welcome this exciting venture.
In this area, the military will be deploying troops to help build a
pedestrian bridge in Lacombe County. Army engineers will donate their
time and expertise (worth about $50,000) for the $300,000 bridge over
the Blindman River, which is part of the walking trail project.
(bouquet)
Still on the walking trail, a bouquet to Lacombe County for
recognizing the importance of this project by expressing enthusiasm,
backed by a donation of $50,000 worth of building material for the
Blindman River bridge.
The rest of the cost will be covered by provincial and federal
governments and a $100,000 grant from Alberta TrailNet.
With the funding in place, the bridge is expected to be completed
by the spring. The county is looking at a link from the Town of
Blackfalds to the pedestrian bridge. Later, the trail will extended to
create a link with the Town of Lacombe.
What a gorgeous hike this part of the trail system will provide in
all four seasons. It will wind its way through some of the most
awe-inspiring natural areas in this part of Central Alberta.
"It's good to see it (the bridge project) is going to be a go,"
said Phil Lodermeier, Lacombe county's manager of operations.
Other Central Alberta communities have also joined the walk in
contributing to the Trans-Canada Trail.
(dart)
And still on the walking trails, a dart to those opposing this
exciting venture. In particular, some members of the rural community who
argue that they don't want city folk invading their properties.
For the most part, the trail plan will be accessing properties not
in the hands of private owners -- abandoned rail lines, for example --
which offer great potential for trails.
The problem is, those abandoned lines also wind through the rural
areas that some farmers seem to think are off limits to the public. For
years, they have been using those rail lines as convenient crossing
points to get from one field to another. They don't want that luxury
disturbed.
Crown lands with grazing leases handed out to ranchers at fire-sale
prices are also part of the development plan.
Red Deer County has cautioned that "public support" is essential
before any trails are blazed through its turf.
County Deputy Mayor George Gehrke praised plans for trail systems,
but cautioned that landowners must have the final say. That's not being
disputed.
"People who live on the land don't need a trail, they've got a
trail going out their front door," said Gehrke. "People in the
neighbourhood are not in favour of urbans stomping through their yard,
and they don't want to pay for it."
But "urbans" using those trails will not be stomping. They will be
walking with respect and care. Common sense should tell Gerhke those
trails will not wind through anybody's yard. And those concerned about
who will pay for these trails should not lose sight of the fact that,
for the most part, it's the urbanites' tax dollars that prop up the
agricultural community when it faces tough times.
August 28, 2009, Red Deer Advocate, by Paul Cowley
Walking Trail Project
Army helping with bridge
construction
The Canadian Armed Forces is mobilizing to help build a pedestrian
bridge in Lacombe County.
Army engineers have agreed to donate their time and expertise for
the $300,000 bridge over Blindman River as part of a walking trail
project.
The engineers will install the decking and handrails, a
contribution worth about $50,000.
The county will donate about $50,000 worth of building materials to
the project, and three separate grants from federal and provincial trail
associations will cover the rest of the cost led by a $100,000 donation
from Alberta TrailNet.
Trans-Canada Trail donated $51,040 and the National Trails
Coalition gave $50,000.
Now that funding is in place the county can go ahead and tender the
project, said Phil Lodermeier, the county's manager of operations. The
project will likely go out to tender and construction could start later
this year. The bridge is expected to be completed by the spring.
"It is good to see it is going to be a go," Lodermeier told council
Thursday.
The bridge crossing the Blindman River will be between Red Deer and
Blackfalds at the end of the C&E trail, just down from the rail bridge.
County commissioner Terry Hager said there is no point in building
a bridge without a trail leading to it so that part of the project will
be brought forward in the 2010 budget.
The county is looking at a link from the Town of Blackfalds to the
pedestrian bridge.
The trail will later be extended to create a link with the Town of
Lacombe.
The Blindman bridge is one of two pedestrian bridges proposed for
Central Alberta.
The other bridge, crossing Battle River, is planned for the north
end of Ponoka, north of the Thinking Tree.
The Town of Ponoka has already put aside $102,000 for the project
and about $400,000 has been raised for that bridge and a connecting
walkway from trail associations and public donations.
Army engineers are also helping out on this project.
Several communities in Central Alberta, including Red Deer,
Lacombe, Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and Innisfail, have developed trail systems,
portions of which have been registered as Trans Canada Trail links.
The goal is to link cities and towns in Central Alberta with a
system of rural trails through Red Deer, Lacombe and Ponoka counties.
July 13, 2009, Red Deer Advocate, by Stacy O'Brien
Trail to cost millions
Pathway from Rocky Mountain House to Nordegg pegged at nearly $7
million
The Rocky Mountain House to Nordegg trail is expected to cost $6.8
million to complete.
The three-metre wide trail, much of which will be along the old
rail line, will have washrooms, garbage cans, picnic sites, signage and
a few remote campsites.
Mike Haugen, community and protective services manager for
Clearwater County, said on Friday the next step will be to explore
possible partnerships with provincial agencies, industry and volunteer
groups to fund the project. The county will also need to get various
approvals from Alberta Environment, Alberta Fish and Wildlife and
possibly even the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with
around 60 stream crossings along the trail.
Haugen said they will still need to isolate the exact route for the
trail as well.
Staging areas, where people can park their vehicles, horse or ATV
trailers , are planned for Prentice Creek, Chambers Creek, Jackfish
Lake, Saunders, Harlech and along the Forestry Trunk Road. The staging
sites aren't for camping, but for day-use for parking vehicles while
people use the trail.
The trail will be open to both motorized and non-motorized traffic.
A name hasn't yet been decided, but some of the possibilities
suggested have been Martin Nordegg Trail, Coal Miners' Trail, North
Saskatchewan Valley Trail and Clearwater Heritage Trail.
There is a Facebook page for the project called Rocky to Nordegg
Trail.
June 24, 2009, Red Deer Advocate, by Laura Tester
Trail system about to be
improved
Adding new paths in a west-end neighbourhood and at a new off-leash
dog park are part of this year's trail enhancements for Red Deer.
The City of Red Deer is working on various sections of the pathway
system, including building three km of natural trails, boardwalks and
viewpoints with Maskepetoon Park natural area bordering the Oriole Park
neighbourhood. By doing these trails, the city hopes that people won't
make paths of their own.
"It builds a purposeful route through the forest," said parks
superintendent Trevor Poth.
And three to five-km trails will be developed for a new dog park
east of Westerner Park and south of 19th Street. The park will be fenced
and will include gravel trails, various shrubs, pet agility features and
site furniture.
Poth anticipates construction on the park will begin in August with
completion by the end of September.
A total of 800 metres of asphalt trails will be built within the
civic yards parcel but outside the fence line so that the public can
access them.
When this project is finished, a three-metre wide sidewalk will be
running on the west side of the civic yards found in Riverside Heavy
Industrial Park.
Poth said the sidewalk is part of a project to widen 40th Avenue in
the area.
Some trails through the city will also be upgraded or repaired.
Some paths are severely cracked so they need new asphalt down.
One area that will see repaving done is immediately next to the Red
Deer River, from the Lions Campground north to the Three Mile Bend
off-leash dog area. That involves a stretch of 1.3 km, the biggest trail
overlay project for the city this year, Poth said.
It will be temporarily closed until Sunday while work is underway.
About 500 metres of North Bank trail adjacent to Riverside Drive
will also be closed off until Sunday while asphalt is replaced. The
trail north towards Three Mile Bend will also close temporarily.
Crews will also repave this week about one km of trail by Oriole
Park School, from the intersection of Taylor Drive and Oleander Drive
south to Kerry Wood Drive and Fountain Drive.
That trail will remain closed until Sunday.
A total of $400,000 in sidewalk improvements will be done this year.
June 17, 2009, Red Deer
Advocate, by Stacy O'Brien
Bridges to link major area trail
expansions
Two new bridges are expected to be built this year for trails
crossing the Blindman River and the Battle River.
The Central Alberta Regional Trail Society has been working on the
project with Lacombe County, the Town of Ponoka and other municipalities
in Central Alberta and has just about collected enough money to move
forward with the projects.
The bridge crossing the Blindman River will be between Red Deer and
Blackfalds at the end of the C&E trail, just down from the rail bridge.
The other bridge, crossing Battle River, is planned for the north
end of Ponoka, north of the Thinking Tree.
Town of Ponoka Councillor John Jacobs said the Ponoka project has
collected $200,000 from Alberta TrailNet to be used for the bridge and
trail from Ponoka to Lacombe. Another $85,000 for the bridge and $66,280
for the trail will come from the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, $52,000
has been collected in donations from citizens and $102,000 has been put
in reserve by the Town of Ponoka for the project.
Jacobs, who is also a director of the Central Alberta Regional
Trails Society and a director of Alberta TrailNet, said they will put an
application in soon for another $200,000 under the National Trails
Coalition/Federal Trail grant program, which they hope to find out about
by mid-July. He said whether or not they get the money, they will
proceed with the project, but it will determine the level of
construction and whether or not the full project will be completed this
year or if things like signage will be done as money becomes available.
"First of all, it is vital for two reasons -- on a local level
because it obviously gives us more access to our trail system and it is
vital to the Trans Canada Trail system," Jacobs said. The work on the
Ponoka bridge will be done by Will's Welding, with the decking for the
bridge anticipated to be completed by the Canadian military engineers.
The project could start as soon as July, with the bridge being completed
by the fall.
The bridge crossing the Blindman River is expected to cost $250,000
to $300,000, with work starting in the winter. A tender is being
prepared for the construction of the bridge, with Canadian military
engineers coming later to do the bridge decking.
Phil Lodermeier, manager of operations with Lacombe County, said
Alberta TrailNet has given $100,000, the National Trails Coalition has
given $50,000, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation has put $20,000 to the
design and engineering and has committed $50,000 for the construction of
the bridge, Lacombe County will donate up to $50,000 worth of bridge
materials.
He said the county will soon apply for $1 million for a Recreation
Infrastructure Canada grant through Western Economic Diversification
Canada for money to work on the trail. The trail will be for bicycles or
pedestrians. It will run parallel to Hwy 2 from the Blindman River to
Morningside and cost around $2 million. He said if the grant doesn't go
through, it will be a matter of doing it piece by piece.
"I think it's a really exciting time for trails people. It think it
would be a great addition to Lacombe County, as far as quality of life
for our residents," Lodermeier said. "So hopefully we can make it
happen."
June 15, 2009, Red Deer Advocate, by Stacy O'Brien
Outfitter steps up
Raising money for the trail systems in Central Alberta is as simple
as slipping into your hiking boots, sneakers or sandals, taking a photo
and sending it to the Central Alberta Regional Trails Society.
The society is collecting photographs via e-mail to send into Keen
Canada. For every photo of feet clad in shoes on a trail, the Canadian
outdoor outfitter will donate $5 to develop trails in Canada.
"It's just a small way that you can make a difference," said Debbie
Olsen, president of the Central Alberta Regional Trails Society. CARTS
is a not-for-profit society that has provided information and support on
recreational trail development locally for close to a decade.
Olsen said a family of four taking a picture and sending it in would
raise $20. "If they enjoy the trails then why not do this small thing to
give back?"
She is hoping people at many of the walkathons along the local
trails this summer will consider taking photos of their feet and sending
them in so they can help two causes at once.
There are up to 10 people allowed in each photograph. If a group of
100 walkers sent in 10 groups of 10 it would mean $500 in funding.
Keen Canada will send the money that is raised in Alberta TrailNet.
Olsen is hoping if they keep track of the number of local feet
photos going in that they will reap the full benefits of the funding.
Hikers and walkers can send their pictures to
info@centralalbertatrails.org until October 31.
CARTS got started with the project Saturday during its Trails Day
and annual general meeting held at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Olsen
said they collected around 15 pictures of feet.
Keen Canada will give up to $75,000 towards the project across
Canada. The money can be used for trail construction or stewardship, as
well as volunteer programs.
June 6, 2009, Red Deer Advocate Local Briefs
Nature centre hosts Trail Days
Central Albertans are invited to come out to Trails Day at Kerry
Wood Nature Centre on June 13, from 10 am to 12:30 pm.
Sponsored by Central Alberta Regional Trails Society, the event
will kick off at 10:15 am with a Leave No Trace workshop where people
can learn how they can keep natural areas and trails prestine.
A presentation by Medicine River Wildlife Centre will run from
11:15 am to 12 pm. Photos for Boots Across Canada campaign to raise
money for conservation happens from 12 to 12:15 pm.
Light refreshments will be served from 12:15 to 12:45 pm followed by a
presentation on CARTS and trail activity in Central Alberta, and CARTS
annual general meeting. Admission is free.
May 13, 2009, Red Deer Region Online
Magazine
Municipal Councils Endorse Trails Along Highways
Red Deer city council recently passed a resolution urging the province to
consider trail construction as part of the building or rebuilding of
roads and highways. The resolution will go to the AUMA (Alberta Urban
Municipalities Association) convention this fall to vote on as an
association resolution to the province.
Several other Central Alberta
municipalities have passed a similar resolution, including Lacombe, Ponoka, Penhold, Sylvan Lake and Blackfalds.
The resolution recommends a
change in policy to provide for alternative modes of transportation such
as cycling, running and walking along or across highways as a means of
connecting communities during the design process. Currently, Alberta
Transportation policy only provides for the movement of vehicles in
highway right-of-ways with very rare exceptions.
Mar. 21, 2009, Red Deer
Advocate, bouquet by Greg Neiman
New trails offer vital link
(bouquet) to the County of Red Deer, for making trail development
through the county a priority.
Trails connecting Springbrook to Penhold and Spruce View to
Dickson, and a Cottonwood day-use area near Dickson Dam, have been
touted as the first step towards turning Red Deer County into an
outdoorsman's paradise.
But actually, it's more than that -- it's also a way to connect
city dwellers to area towns, and tourists with businesses willing to
provide services.
"Most of the county is very beautiful," said Bev Sandalack, an
environmental design professor who helped work on the plan.
She's very right, and the best method to keep it that way is to
make the special places in our countryside available for wide
appreciation.
Next, what's needed is co-operation and assistance from the city
and its many trail users, to link city trails to the county's network at
as many places as possible.
Mar. 18, 2009, Red Deer
Advocate, by Paige Aarhus
Building trails to paradise
Red Deer County hopes several recreational pilot projects will help
them move forward with its Open Spaces Master Plan.
Trails connecting Springbrook to Penhold and Spruce View to
Dickson, and a Cottonwood day-use area near Dickson Dam, have been
touted as the first step towards turning Red Deer County into an
outdoorsman's paradise.
"As we go through the implementation of those projects, we will
learn the process and carry that knowledge forward," said Alex Taylor, a
planner from Dillon Consulting.
Taylor described an intricate network of trails and outdoor
recreational areas that could come to fruition under the plan at a
Tuesday council meeting.
At the same time, they warned council that it's necessary to take
action and gain public support in order to implement the plan.
"It's great to have a plan but we don't want it to end up as a
report on a shelf," he said.
The goal is to create a variety of open spaces throughout the
county to take advantage of the scenery and existing landmarks of
different areas, which would be connected by trails wherever possible.
Taylor identified seven distinct zones within the county that could
benefit from developing trail systems and recreational areas, including
Alberta Central Railway, Medicine River, Ghost Pine and Boomtown.
"Most of the landscape in the county is very beautiful. We want to
work with existing features such as the trestle bridge," said Bev
Sandalack, an environmental design professor who helped work on the
plan.
Several councillors expressed their enthusiasm for the plan and
lamented the lack of trails in rural Alberta.
"What seems like an anomaly to me is the lack of trails in a rural
environment, compared to Europe and other areas," said Councillor Reimar
Poth.
Poth said the county is leading the province in terms of promoting
a trail network, but acknowledged the difficulty lies in getting the
public on board.
Mayor Earl Kinsella agreed.
"This is a very long-term province. Only with public support and
funding will it ever get done," he said.
Deputy mayor George Gehrke praised the plan and its goals, but
argued landowners should approve of any changes to their property.
"People who live on the land don't need a trail, they've got a
trail going out their front door . . . People in the neighbourhood are
not in favour of 'urbans' stomping through their yard, and they don't
want to pay for it," he said.
Planners began consultations for the plan in 2005. Another series
of consultations and work on precise implementation strategies will be
completed before it returns to council for approval.
Mar. 18, 2009, Red Deer Express, by Erin Fawcett
Trails and parks for County
Red Deer County council got their first look at the Open Spaces
Master Plan at yesterday's meeting.
Officials from Dillon Consulting were on hand to present the report
to council, which they've been working on since 2005.
The Open Spaces Master Plan, which plans 20 to 30 years ahead,
shows where potential trails and parks could be located throughout the
County.
"A lot of the areas we identified for potential parks and trails
are near some of these towns and hamlets throughout the County where
people live," said Alex Taylor, planner for Dillon Consulting. "It could
be trails linking communities together, recreation features and tourist
places as well."
Short term projects within the Open Spaces Master Plan include a
trail located between Springbrook and Penhold as well as between Spruce
View and Dickson.
Another short term project that was identified in the plan is the
construction of a day use area in Cottonwood.
Councillor Jim Lougheed said the plan should have been developed
long ago.
"It's unfortunate we didn't start the plan 50 years ago because we
might have had things in place by now," he said.
Council is expected to adopt the Open Spaces Master Plan at a
meeting next month.
Media News re trails 2008
Media News re trails 2007
Media News re trails 2006
This year's Media News re trails
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