Unauthorized mountain-biking structures and trails built in Mount Work Regional Park will be dismantled by parks staff in coming weeks.
Mountain biking is allowed in a designated area of the 730-hectare park, where trails are maintained by the Capital Regional District’s volunteer partner, the South Island Mountain Bike Society.
But the trails and structures in question are not within that area.
District spokesman Andy Orr said in a statement that it was recently brought to the CRD’s attention that a large unauthorized trail with a “fair amount” of unauthorized infrastructure was being built in the park.
The concern is that unauthorized trails do not meet safety standards and could affect ecologically or culturally sensitive areas, Orr said.
An advisory group will be put together to help develop mountain-biking guidelines, he said. The aim is to “address the recreational needs of mountain bikers in regional parks while giving consideration to other stakeholder needs and following the direction in approved management plans.”
Tracey Moss, manager of CRD Parks’ visitor services and community engagement, said an inventory of unauthorized trails found significant mountain-bike use outside of designated areas. Some trails have been in place for years, while others are new.
Recently built trails and structures will be taken down within the next two to three weeks, she said in a letter to the society.
Moss is asking the society to let mountain bikers know that it is illegal to build trails or structures within regional parks unless authorized by the CRD.
Fines can be issued for the destruction of park property and cutting trees, Moss said, adding the CRD can, through court proceedings, try to recover up to $30,000 for damages incurred and the restoration of affected areas.
Alon Soraya, vice-president of the society, which maintains 32 kilometres of trails in the bike park, accessible at the end of Hartland Avenue, said the group doesn’t condone unauthorized trail building.
Mountain bikers are encouraged to attend the society’s monthly volunteer trail-maintenance days and learn from experienced builders how to build to accepted standards, as required in the park, he said.
“We want people to come out and buy into what we are doing, because there is a lot of work to be done, and to learn how to do it properly, and to help us in our advocacy efforts to develop new trails.”
Sanctioned trails range from beginner to extremely difficult in a fairly large network that was set up about 20 years ago, Soraya said.
The society is advocating for new designated areas to be permitted throughout the region at a time when the sport is growing in popularity, he said. “It’s a community asset that we can all be very proud of.”
Soraya said the Hartland riding area is becoming increasingly popular, adding mountain biking appeals to a wide demographic. “You are seeing ton and tons of families out there, young kids … also retired people and older folks.”
He would like to see new sanctioned trail areas, accessible via trail networks.
Orr said CRD parks is initiating a management-planning process for Mount Work this year to examine needs of park visitors.
