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Media News Articles 2018
concerning trails in Central Alberta
October 15, 2018, Red Deer Express, Robin Grant
New nature trail unveiled at Red Deer College for
upcoming Canada Winter Games
New walkway the result of partnership between NOVA
Chemicals, RDC and Canada Winter Games committee
Tree planting in the name of a
sustainable 2019 Canada Winter Games continued Monday with the unveiling
of the NOVA Chemicals Waskasoo Creek Nature Walk at Red Deer College.
The new walkway is located south of RDC's Gary W. Harris Canada
Games Centre and is the result of a partnership between the College,
NOVA Chemicals and the Canada Winter Games, which started with the NOVA
Chemical's commitment of $2 million in 2016.
In the afternoon, kindergarten students from across Red Deer will
help plant 140 trees along the nature walk. Volunteers will also plant
the trees in the days to come.
Scott Robinson, CEO of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, called the
partnership a 'legacy initiative' that is part of a 2019 Games
commitment to plant 2,019 trees to leave a positive impact on Central
Alberta for the benefit of the environment and park system.
"An important component of hosting the Canada Winter Games is
creating legacies that will benefit our greater community for years to
come," he said.
Speaking at the unveiling, Joel Ward, RDC president and CEO, said
the nature walk symbolizes the College's commitment to an
environmentally sustainable future.
"I think this is a strong statement to this community that the
future is environmental, the future is green. It's about doing something
about (the environment) and creating sustainable institutions. It's
about creating programs that support sustainability, it's about
partnering with companies that believe in it and that is an important
part of who they are and what they want to do."
Jim Dixon, director of responsible care with NOVA Chemicals, said
the company, which also has another nature trail near Lacombe called the
NOVA Community Nature Trail, is excited to be part of this Canada Games
'legacy project'.
"This nature area is going to be here for the current generation
and future generations," he said. It fits well with our company's desire
to be a sustainable organization and create lasting partnerships like we
have with the Canada Winter Games and Red Deer College."
This is the 2019 Canada Winter Games' second tree planting event.
On Sept. 29th, volunteers planted trees on the walkway along 22nd St.
near Inglewood Dr.
June 13, 2018, Red Deer
Express, by Mark Weber
Provincial funding set to enhance trail system
at River Bend
The site will also be used during the 2019 Canada Winter Games
The Parkland Cross-Country Ski Club has landed a $200,000 shot in the
arm from the Province for trail expansion and enhancements at River Bend
Golf and Recreation Area.
The Community Facility Enhancement Program grant will, "Continue to
develop River Bend as a regional multi-use, multi-sport facility," said
Tom Marr-Laing, president of Parkland Cross-Country Ski Club. The site
will also be used for some events during the 2019 Canada Winter Games
next February.
"Because the Canada Winter Games are coming to Red Deer, the City
has already been actively involved in doing a series of upgrades and
renovations to the site," said Marr-Laing.
Looking ahead, further enhancements are focused on completing the
renovations to the trails, installing 4km of trail lighting and
developing some permanent snowmaking infrastructure, he said.
"We're also pretty excited about it as a cross country ski team,"
he said. "But it isn't just for skiing and biathlon that this work is
being done. These trails are actively used by a wide range of people in
Red Deer and Central Alberta," he said, pointing out that the scenic
stretch of land is also popular with hikers, dog walkers, mountain
bikers, runners and snow-shoe enthusiasts as well.
"They will all be able to benefit from this."
Parkland's ability to secure the CFEP grant was based on leveraging
the City of Red Deer funds used for the Canada Winter Games-focused
developments at River Bend.
In partnership with the City, River Bend Golf and Recreation Area
and the Canada Winter Games, this grant also provides Parkland with the
resources needed to fully develop the community's long-term legacy
vision for River Bend's multi-use trail system.
MLA Kim Schreiner said that it's because of projects like this that
the provincial grant was created.
"It's a program that helps to empower local citizens and community
organizations to work together and to respond to local needs," she said.
"The legacy of the 2019 Canada Winter Games has paved the way for
opportunity to not only showcase our great City, but to build on it for
future generations of Red Deerians and Central Albertans."
Deputy Mayor Lawrence Lee noted that the investment is not just for
today. "It's for the future generation ahead of us as well. This
investment also speaks to the fact that it's not just the novice or the
technical skier or cross country runner -- it's for everybody.
"Anybody in the community will be able to embrace and to experience
these facilities and the enhancements to our current trail system that
we will be leaving as a legacy. It's part of the Canada Winter Games for
sure, but more importantly (it's) part of our community that has always
held the importance of daily physical activity."
Brian Miller, general manager of the River Bend Golf and Recreation
Area, said that the site is a jewel for anyone to come and utilize
anytime through the year.
"It's about relaxing in a fine place that is close to the City and
that everyone has access to. And to improve it now going forward, we
look forward to those changes in multi-use (aspects) for many people to
use for many, many years to come."
Photo: Red Deer-North MLA Kim Schreiner, Tom Marr-Laing,
president of Parkland Cross-Country Ski Club and Barb Miller, MLA for
Red Deer-South are pictured during a funding announcement for trail
enhancements at the River Bend Golf and Recreation Area. Photo by Mark
Weber, Red Deer Express
June 7, 2018, Red Deer Advocate, by Paul
Cowley
Paved trail part of Sylvan Lake Park
improvement plan
Paving of gravel trail running length of waterfront park began on
Thursday
Sylvan Lake has begun sprucing up its new waterfront park.
Paving began on the gravel trail that runs the length of the former
provincial park that was turned over to the town in January and renamed
Sylvan Lake Park.
Town council voted earlier this year to spend up to $200,000 paving
the 850-metre red shale path through the lakeshore park as part of a
general effort to jazz up the popular draw.
Other work will include replacing signs, landscaping, grade
improvements, and sod repairs. A number of trees uprooted in last June's
windstorm will also be replaced.
As part of the deal to turn ownership of the former provincial park
to the town, the Alberta government provided nearly $2 million for
future upkeep and maintenance.
The upgrades are only the first phase of what is expected to be a
major redevelopment of the park and connected lakeshore areas through a
project the town has dubbed ReImagine Sylvan Lake.
One of the first steps town council has made has been to ban all
smoking in the park.
The ban covers cigarettes, hookahs, pipes, electronic cigarettes,
medicinal marijuana or "any lighted smoking implement designed to burn
or heat tobacco, cannabis or any other weed of substance."
Once the revised bylaw begins being enforced on July 1 -- after an
"educational" period in which signage is erected -- fines for
individuals caught smoking start at $250, and rise to $500 and $1,000
for a second and third offence.
The town has restricted access to the park to make way for paving.
The area from the pier to Washroom 2 has been closed off. Visitors are
asked to get to the park east of the washroom through Centennial Park.
While parts of the park are closed the entire beach remains open
while work is underway.
Photo by Lana Michelin, Red Deer Advocate
May 12, 2018, Red Deer Advocate, by Sean
McIntosh
A preview of Red Deer's next trail
Some Red Deerians got a sneak peek at the city's next trail this
weekend.
Construction on a trail in Riverside Meadows is expected to begin
later this year but before any asphalt is laid down the city wanted
input from residents at an open house Saturday at the Riverside Meadows
Community Centre.
"It's a really neat area with beautiful views we're going to tap
into and I think we're really opening up the hillside," said Dave Mair,
Red Deer parks planning co-ordinator.
Residents have been very positive about the trail so far, Mair
said.
"We've received a lot of support from people who want to see
something like this," he said. "We want to have more use in the parks
and to have people getting outside."
There will be two sections to the future trail. The first section
begins at 60 Street and Riverview Avenue, continues toward the community
centre and then northwest to connect with an existing trail. The second
section begins at the existing trail near Howarth Street Close and
travels southwest to 60 Street.
Mair said a segment of the second section, which will be built on a
steep hill, will either be completely made of asphalt or partially made
into a boardwalk with wood.
The asphalt option would allow universal accessibility, but would
require more tree trimming, while the boardwalk option would require
extra work to ensure it is accessible for all.
Mair said the boardwalk option has been more well received so far.
"People already value our trails, that's what we always hear from
the public. I think that translates into the (positive) feedback we've
already received." said Mair.
There may be some seating areas and viewing spots on the trail as
well.
Mair said he hopes construction begins Sept. 1 and the trail is
complete by the first snowfall. If the trail isn't finished by then, it
will be completed by next spring or summer.
"It's so dense and steep in there, so there will definitely be some
work involved to get this finished," said Mair.
Photo: Dave Mair, Red Deer parks planning co-ordinator, stands
in front of the site for a future trail in Riverside Meadows Saturday
during an open house. Photo by Sean McIntosh, Red Deer Advocate
May 8, 2018, Innisfail Province, by Johnnie
Bachusky
Completing trail at Dodd's Lake will be studied
Town starting new trail master plan
The town is embarking on a comprehensive review of its 20-kilometre
trail system, the first since 2010.
The goal of the proposed Trail Master Plan, brought to
council at its April 23 regular meeting, is to identify gaps in the
current system and to have the public engaged through web-based public
surveys, open houses and displays, including an interactive map for
citizens, at several locations. The first major public engagement event
will be held at the annual Mayor's Breakfast in June.
The new Trail Master Plan, which council approved at a cost of
$20,000, will also look at the feasibility of creating a trail
completely around Dodd's Lake, which is now only served with a 350-metre
stretch on the west side by Hazelwood Estates that connects to 53rd
Avenue, and an 80-metre boardwalk on the south side.
"We need a good up-to-date plan, now that we have our people in
place to do these kinds of things. We've got to get busy and get a
master plan current and see where we want to go from there," said Mayor
Jim Romane.
During the April 23 council meeting, Crystal Scheit, the town's
engineering coordinator, presented a report that stated the 2010 Open
Spaces Master Plan will form a "solid" base for the project with many
components still relevant for the update.
She told council through her report that with an approved plan in
place the necessary budgeting will be created for future upgrades
and new trail development as the town expands into newly developed
areas. As well, added Scheit, enhancements, which will also include
special features and assets, can be made to existing trails in areas
where gaps have been identified. Her report said the goal is to have a
trail network that connects all areas of town.
However, the idea of completing a trail around Dodd's Lake is
"tricky" because parts of it are privately owned while others are
designated environmental reserves, noted Romane.
"It's kind of tricky putting a trail around it," said the mayor.
"Ideally I would love to see a trail all around Dodd's Lake, but there
are limitations because of these properties and the environment
reserves."
Scheit said last week the idea of creating a trail through private
properties will need to be investigated further, but added she did not
see why it could not be done in the future if proper planning and public
consultation is conducted.
"These are all things we will be looking at when we do this master
plan; what would need to be done in order to accomplish that," said
Scheit. "On the north side of the lake there is nothing developed up
there at that point. If that area gets subdivided then we acquire the
municipal reserve that we need on that side (to) extend the path all the
way around once that does get developed.
"We are just looking at this area in general to make sure it is
connected to the rest of the community as well," she added.
Scheit said it's hoped to have a draft Trail Master Plan completed
by September.
It will then be put to the public for additional engagement and
feedback before council has a chance to consider a final report by the
end of the year.
Photo: Part of the town's current 20 kilometre trail system at
Napoleon Lake. The town is now embarking on a Trail Master Plan to
modernize the system and to identify gaps. Photo by Johnnie Bachusky,
Mountain View Publishing
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