Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

More places to answer call of nature top issue on trails: survey

People using the Capital Regional District’s trail network say they need more places to go. A just-released $20,200 survey of trail users cites more washrooms as the top improvement most people would like to see to regional trails.
A3-goose.jpg
Commuters and recreational users travel along Greater Victoria's Galloping Goose Regional Trail on Tuesday.

People using the Capital Regional District’s trail network say they need more places to go.

A just-released $20,200 survey of trail users cites more washrooms as the top improvement most people would like to see to regional trails.

CRD parks committee chairwoman Susan Brice found few surprises in the results but said it’s important as the region develops a trail master plan that everyone is consulted.

“We want to make sure that this process is a real opportunity for people to connect with the CRD on this,” Brice said, adding that regular trail users need to be consulted.

“But we want to make sure that perhaps some people who are less frequent users — residents of the area who like to walk on the trail occasionally or use it recreationally [are consulted].”

Interestingly, most of the respondents to the survey were recreational cyclists, not commuters.

“Overall, the survey findings indicate that the majority of trail visitors are very satisfied with their experience on the regional trails and feel safe using them,” the staff report says.

“[Users] highly value the scenic nature of the trails and their ability to engage in diverse outdoor recreational activities.”

Trail users would like the trail system expanded, with more connections to public places such as UVic.

They would also like more amenities such as washrooms, water fountains, pavement and lighting, the survey found.

Currently, there are seven washrooms on or adjacent to the 55-kilometre Galloping Goose Regional Trail and five on the 29-kilometre Lochside Trail. (The E&N Rail Trail shares a washroom with the Galloping Goose near Atkins Road.)

Fifty per cent of respondents said there should be no motorized use permitted on trails; 49 per cent said some motorized use should be permitted and one per cent said motorized use should be permitted generally. Of those who supported some motorized use, support was strongest (87 per cent) for mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs; 61 per cent for motor-assist bicycles and 33 per cent for Segways.

Some of the key findings include:

  • The most frequent use of regional trails is for recreational cycling.
  • Enjoying scenery and nature along regional trails is the top reason people value them.
  • The top thing that would improve the regional trail experience would be having more washrooms.
  • The majority of trail users do not support motorized use on regional trails, with the exception of some support for electric mobility scooters/wheelchairs and electric motor-assist bicycles.
  • The top reason for opposing motorized use on the regional trails is that the increased speed of motorized users would be dangerous for trail users.
  • The top priority for managing regional trails over the next 10 years is to expand and connect the regional trails system to municipal trails.

Capital Regional District parks undertook the regional parks survey between May and August 2013. Participants could complete the survey either online or at six locations set up along the Galloping Goose, Lochside and E&N Rail trails. The survey asked 25 questions relating to patterns of use, general demographic information, trail experience and trail management.

The response to the survey is said to be high, with 927 on-line surveys completed and 1,332 hard copy surveys completed for a total of 2,259 responses. Of all respondents, 50-59 year olds were the most frequently represented group, followed closely by 60-69 year olds.

The survey was undertaken to assist in the development of a regional trails management plan.

Other survey findings:

  • The primary ways the public gets information about regional trails is from the CRD/Regional Parks website at crd.bc.ca, and word of mouth.
  • Most trail users think that adequate regional trail information is available on the CRD/Regional Parks website, although they also think that the website could provide more detailed maps.
  • The most frequently visited regional parks in the past 12 months were Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park and Thetis Lake Regional Park.
  • The top two origins of survey respondents are the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria.
  • Of trail users from outside the CRD, the most frequent origins are British Columbia and the U.S.
  • Of survey respondents, people in their 50s were the most frequently represented group, followed closely by 60-69-year-olds.

bcleverley@timescolonist.com