West Kelowna council got its first peek at a plan that will aim to improve the district’s trail network and increase connectivity Tuesday.
The Recreation Trails Master Plan was initiated in spring 2012 and focuses on nine goals, which include establishing a trail system as a destination, providing readily accessible information about the trails to support way-finding and improving the quality and consistency of trail maintenance.
“The plan looked at major multi-use trails, which is similar to what we have in Gellatly Bay, narrow multi-use trails, where you have the ability to bike and walk, but they’re not quite as elaborate as what we have at Gellatly Bay, and also nature trails, like what we have around Mount Boucherie and Rose Valley Park,” said Nancy Henderson, director of development services.
The plan includes recommendations for a trail rating system—similar to what can be found on a ski hill—with green circle, blue square and black diamond rated trails.
“I’m excited with the whole plan,” said Coun. David Knowles.
“I find it really invigorating, really exciting to see this laid out in chunks that we can digest.”
Coun. Duane Ophus noted the plan is “a very high priority for many people in the community.”
“Its really good to get down to the level of looking at the district metre by metre…because it’s the road map of how to proceed with so much of what we do in the district,” said Ophus.
The plan identifies eight connections as short-term priorities—to be completed in the next one to 10 years—and seven medium-term priorities, to be completed in the next 11 to 20 years.
An annual budget of $100,000 is proposed for construction and improvements of trails on public land, and to work with land owners to construct trails on private lands, over the next 20 years.
Ophus suggested the district should be aggressive in its effort to obtain grant money to increase the number of projects that can be completed.
The development of the Recreational Trails Master Plan has included five separate public consultation events; hundreds of residents have provided feedback.
District staff will take council directions received Tuesday and recommendations will be discussed during the 2014 budget deliberations.
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
