Feedback on the new Snake Hill Beta Loop natural trail was largely positive, but one councillor would have preferred more input from the community in a survey released in October.
“We received 14 replies on that survey,” said Kevin Heerema, community peace officer, during a presentation to council at its Nov. 23 meeting.
Some of the comments submitted included “(I'm) ecstatic about the new trail” and “we runners are loving it,” he said.
However, while Coun. Chris Vardas said he had also heard some good comments about the 1.2-kilometre trail, the low number of people to respond to the survey was “a little bit disappointing.”
“Whenever we do a report like this, it's sad when we only have 14 people out of 2,700 people out there in the community” actually responding. There's no doubt the trail is popular with those who use it, but council needs as much information as possible from the entire community, he said.
“I'd like to see more response on these surveys out there to give us as a council a better grasp on what's going on out there.”
The Sundre Bike and Ski Club has endeavoured to create the trail for about a year, with volunteer efforts coming to fruition this past summer when the trail was finally established.
“I was there in its early stages,” said Heerema.
At first, he was mainly concerned with cyclists gaining speed and the potential for collisions with pedestrians. But the trail is a fairly narrow, flat and winding path, he said.
“After walking the trail myself, I don't feel that's a huge concern.”
The trail, which has been open to use for months, isn't conducive to gathering much momentum on a bicycle, and the peace officer doesn't think there will be any danger to people on foot.
But the public was still asked for input from Oct. 1-29.
The first question asked was whether the person responding was aware about the Beta Loop. Two people out of the 14 who responded hadn't heard of it, said Heerema.
The next question asked was whether the respondent would use the trail, and 11 said they would. Only one person who filled out the survey did not support the trail's existence.
By and large, there was overwhelmingly positive feedback from the few people who responded in terms of further developing new trails in Sundre.
“Based on those responses, people are looking for more trails like this,” said the peace officer.
Coun. Myron Thompson said that although traffic has slowed down at the Visitor Information Centre as winter approaches, most of the people who come through want to know more about local walking trails.
“It's become a calling card for people from the city who don't have the opportunity to walk in the wilderness like that.”
Sundre has seen a steady increase in tourists over the last few years, “so I think it's going to be catching on even more,” he said.
Mayor Terry Leslie said he's had the chance to walk, run and bike on the trail, and said it is not meant for speed.
“It is a challenging, wonderful place. When walking, I just about tripped over a deer that was in the grass. The natural part of that trail, compared to the kind of groomed trails that have been there for 25 years, is a real nice addition to the hill — to the area.”
The fact that a community group has decided to take on the responsibility of planning and working together in collaboration with town staff to create the trail to find a permanent solution to add to the number of options for people seeking an active lifestyle is also beneficial for the town, he said.
“The concern from the town is always going to be the long-range maintenance and upkeep, and what you've done is you've taken the responsibility of making sure those things get done in a very natural way, and that is very much appreciated, because we can't take on any more costs,” said the mayor, addressing members of the club who attended the meeting.
The mayor said more and more people have heard about Sundre's trails, and that he had just gone to Snake Hill earlier that day and came across four people.
“I'm not accustomed to ever seeing a soul when I'm up there. It's (becoming) a very popular natural resource for us, so we're very fortunate,” said Leslie.
Council went on to accept Heerema's report for information.
