Links

SELKIRK COLLEGE SHOWS THE WAY

Thanks to the financial assistance of Selkirk College, first-time users of some trails might find it easier to locate the trail heads.

All-weather signs displaying a hiker symbol, such as this one for Dove Hill, were produced locally by Kootenay Biznet and posted at various locations to assist those unfamiliar with the area.

THANKS AGAIN, SELKIRK COLLEGE

LATE FLASH

Thanks to the Ministry of Transportation, directional signs have been installed on Robson Access Road indicating the turn-off to the Waldie Island Trail.

MARGO'S LETTER

(excepts of Margo Saunders' letter written to the Castlegar papers)

"Your article on ATV's and the rail trail was well received by the executive of the Columbia & Western Trail Society, the stewards of the rail trail. There have been several meetings and myriad emails flying, pertaining to this contentious subject.

The first one held in Castlegar surprised the TRAILS BC and Trans-Canada Trail officials. It was "standing-room only" with dozens of ATV users joining many other interested parties, concerned about the future of this gem of the Kootenays.

Members of the C&WTS rose to speak at that meeting, to inform the panel of the necessity of ATV's on our rail trail. We need them so that we can perform our surveys and maintenance. If we did not have the use of the ATV's, we would not have the rail trail at all, because the (all volunteer) work done over the last decade would not have been possible. Many families use the rail trail for access to other trails. Elderly people, who would otherwise be banned from enjoying some of the best scenery available, use their ATV's to cruise to the Bulldog Tunnel, Farron, and other major attractions along this historic 88 km route.

We have always supported off-road motorized use on our trail, as long as the ATV'ers have proper liability insurance."

"Right from that first meeting, we have proposed to the ATV riders that the stale-mate with the Trans-Canada Trial could be alleviated so easily. The TCT will admit that the stewards should be allowed to maintain the trails using ATV's. Therefore, since every responsible ATV rider already carries shovel, chainsaw, first aid kit, etc., all they need to do is join the stewardship group, the C&WTS. For a small fee, they will be issued a membership card and a sticker to mount in a visible location on their machine. Problem solved."

(Contact the membership chair at 693-2229 for more information.)"

(Thank you, Margo for giving Friends permission to publish excerpts of your letter.)

[ - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - ]