A four-season network of walking, running, cycling and cross-country ski trails is one step closer to reality thanks to a financial boost from the RM of Corman Park.
River Ridge Trails, located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River north of Langham, is the site of a former regional park. For the last several years the land has been informally used by area residents for various recreational purposes. Recently, the Town of Langham launched plans to revitalize the area and promote year-round outdoor recreation.
Beginning this fall, several of the informal paths meandering through the hills and ravines will be upgraded to accommodate pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. The Town of Langham has already earmarked $49,000 for the project, which is being spearheaded by a group of volunteers under the auspices of a non-profit trails association.
The RM of Corman Park council voted at its meeting on Monday, August 17 to allocate $24,500 toward the project.
“The support from Corman Park is very much appreciated,” said Dione Wall, a Langham Town Councillor and a key organizer of the River Ridge Trails Association. “This is the extra push we needed to get this project rolling.”
Wall said the River Ridge Trails Association has a three-year plan to create an outdoor recreational site that not only serves area residents, but will also draw visitors from across the province and beyond. Once the trail system is fully developed, the site has the potential to host national cycling competitions, she noted.
The estimated cost of the park is $300,000, said Wall. The improvements to the park will be phased in as money comes in. Grants from the municipalities of Langham and Corman Park will be supplemented by local fundraising efforts, private donations and corporate sponsorships.
The park revitalization plan has been gathering support over the past two years, said Wall.
“The interest in the project is growing,” she said. “A year ago it was little more than a rumour, but now it’s coming to fruition. We have a non-profit organization in place, all the paperwork is done, and we have approvals from both the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Parks, Recreation and Culture.
“Everything is ready to go.”
The bulk of the park’s operating costs will be for weekly maintenance of the trail network.
Wall said construction on the trail upgrades is expected to begin this fall.
“Our top priorities for this year are the walking trails,” said Wall in an interview August 17. “We want an all-weather surface of crusher dust and gravel that allows for drainage so the trail doesn’t wash out.”
The majority of the work will be done by volunteers, with some specialized tasks such has brush cutting in areas that are more difficult to access being contracted out to certified companies.
She said all-terrain vehicles and motorized dirt bikes will not be permitted on the trails.