We don’t get too many chances out here in rural B.C. to grab the brass ring as it comes by. So we’d be wise to pay attention.
There is hope yet that the Trans Canada Trail and KVR might achieve their full potential here in the Boundary.
The meeting last week in Midway with Rec Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) offered a lot of clarity about the trail. They admitted that the way the province has gotten into the rail trail game isn’t exactly a shining example of good land management. But they came to offer a partnership program for maintaining the trail.
Here’s a quick trail status update:
The trails exist in law. The number one priority for the folks at the RSTBC is that the trails be maintained to a standard that will ensure their integrity. They can’t do this alone so they rely on community stewards (groups and individuals) along the trail who help them keep on top of things.
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce this partnership agreement program to local residents. Of course other issues were raised.
This corridor of Crown land has remained unoccupied for two decades and questions about access and encroachment exist all along the length of the trail.
While those issues are important, they are secondary to the need for maintenance.
It’s like everyone agrees they like the elephant that sits in the centre of the room. They often have different reasons for liking the elephant, and sometimes they argue.
But one thing must be made clear—if nothing is done to feed and clean up after this elephant then it isn’t going to be here forever to argue about.