Red Deer County and Central Alberta Regional Trail Society (CARTS) have taken one more step towards a Red Deer to Bowden and Sylvan Lake trail.
Red Deer County recently passed a motion to apply for Alberta TrailNet funding for a consultant study examining the Red Deer to Springbrook trail, which could possibly include the Mintlaw Bridge. The request also included participation in meetings with Penhold, Bowden and Sylvan Lake.
"I am very excited that the county has taken this step in support of the trail,î said CARTS vice-president Paul Pettypiece.
Other developments for the Red Deer to Bowden trail system include a reversal of Alberta Transportation's stance on regional trails parallel to highways where possible and the offer of land north of Highway 592 for the Penhold portion of the trail.
"This is a big step forward,î said Pettypiece. "Their cooperation for the Trans Canada Trail is vital to its completion. Offering land alongside main roads will make the trail system more safe and far easier and less expensive to build.î
He noted the offer of land north of Highway 592 which is owned by the Town of Penhold presently will make them (Penhold) eligible for Trans Canada Trail funding. The trail could be placed in the ditch but negotiations will be forthcoming.
There is the issue of where the trail will come from Red Deer as well, with the historic Mintlaw Bridge being an option for inclusion in the regional system.
"With the possibility of the Mintlaw trestle being included several funding options open up,î said Pettypiece. "It is an expensive path but funds might be accessed from Alberta Tourism and up to 50 per cent of the project will be granted. There is some resistance from landowners on the idea though.î
He added funding would be harder to come by if the trestle is not included in the trail.
"The old Alberta Central Railway right-of-way is owned by Red Deer County and this would make the pathway easier again to complete,î said Pettypiece.
Pettypiece said there are a couple of other factors in the trestle being more attractive as part of the trail.
"This is a historic landmark that stands as a reminder of Central Alberta's railway history, and the fact that it was designed by Michael Dawe's grandfather is significant as well,î he said. "It is an amazing site that the county has done some repairs on this year as well, indicating the county sees value in the trestle.î
The 24,000-kilometre Trans Canada Trail system has been envisioned to be completed by 2017 celebrating Canada at 150. Alberta TrailNet Society is Alberta's provincial trail council formed to support the ongoing development of the Wild Rose Trail System and the 2,987 km of the Trans Canada Trail.
Further information on CARTS can be found at www.centralalbertatrails.org.
