Park Watch  | Park Bench Memorial

Mountain bike enthusiasts, hikers and cross country skiers alike should be happy to hear that the Friends have almost completed an exciting single track trail system throughout the west-end of Fish Creek Provincial Park. Since 2006, the Friends volunteer-driven Trail Care Program has been developing a single track trail in the Shannon Terrace area. However, progress has been slow and the destruction of the west-end of the Park by off-trail use has continued.

Funding through the National Trails Coalition with matching funds from the Province of Alberta has increased the productivity of the Trail Care program. The $120,000 in funding the Friends received allowed us to hire seven full-time staff members to build the trail system.

Throughout the fall and now into winter, this dedicated trail team, headed up by Chris Lalonde, Trail Care Coordinator, has been working hard clearing trail, dismantling unauthorized structures, building protective structures, and generally making the trail safe by removing hazards. To date, close to 14 kilometres of trail have been completed. Although our goal was originally to bring the trail system to the Bow Valley Ranch, poor weather has now set in and Park Management is happy that we have managed to bring the trail as far east as Macleod Trail.

Besides creating a trail system, the crew has also closed over 50 illegal trails along the route. You may have noticed piles of deadfall in place throughout the Park to block these trails to allow for the regeneration of vegetation. Signage is being installed both to indicate where rehabilitation projects are underway and to indicate the single track trail system. 4 new kiosks are installed and awaiting signage that will discuss Park rules and mountain bike etiquette, along with a new map marking the trail system.

So we ask that cyclists and hikers adhere to the signage and do not use the trails that have been closed. It is illegal to enter these unauthorized trails and the Park Conservation Officers will be conducting enforcement actions to ensure compliance with all posted signage and existing Park regulations. The new trail system is for all to enjoy. Please respect our Park and stay off the trails that are now closed.

A grand opening of the single track trail system will take place March 2010. Stay tuned to this website and expect to read more about this exciting project in the February and March issues of the Voice of the Friends.