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CRD updating plan for regional trails

Re: “Trail system a gem worth polishing,” July 20 Tom Lester commended the Capital Regional District for a wonderful regional trails system. I agree with him that we have a wonderful trail system that is worth caring for and improving.

Re: “Trail system a gem worth polishing,” July 20

Tom Lester commended the Capital Regional District for a wonderful regional trails system. I agree with him that we have a wonderful trail system that is worth caring for and improving.

Since the establishment of the first 47 kilometres of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail in 1987, the regional trails system now stretches for 100 kilometres from Swartz Bay to Victoria to Sooke. About 2.7 million people use the existing regional trails for cycling, walking and horseback riding each year. In the future, the regional trails system will be expanded to include Saltspring Island and Southern Gulf Islands, and to continue the Trans-Canada Trail route in the CRD to connect with the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

Over the past 25 years, the CRD has seen use change on the trails. While they are still used for recreation purposes, more people are now using the trails for non-motorized transportation. This success has also brought new issues, such as congestion, user safety and the need to improve trail facilities to accommodate higher use and different uses.

The CRD is updating the management plan for regional trails. This updated plan will guide decision-making, management, operations and budgeting for regional trails for the next decade. The CRD led a public participation process in June and July 2014 to hear from the public their ideas for the future of the regional trail system. A draft management plan will be presented to the CRD regional parks committee. Additional opportunities will be provided to hear from the public about the draft plan.

Susan Brice

Chairwoman

Capital Regional District parks committee