Over 10 years of determined planning, designing and fundraising have opened further opportunities for recreationists and for the hamlet of Bragg Creek.
The completion of a 7.5 km trail that connects Bragg Creek to the Great Trail (formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail) and $2.5 million in upgrades to the West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) was celebrated on Nov. 3.
“After 10 years we have taken a rundown trail system and turned it into a world-class trail destination,” GBCTA president Conrad Schiebel proudly proclaimed at the opening ceremony.
Its completion is welcomed news for the hamlet, just 10 km away, that will provide services for users that come from around the corner and across the globe.
“What we’re trying to do here is help the whole community with its revitalization efforts with this world-class trail network,” says Schiebel. “It’s starting to happen. We’re getting more and more people coming out here and they are just in awe at what we have achieved.”
“We like to consider ourselves to be partners in the community and that’s why we really pushed to have the trans-Canada trail link the hamlet with our trail system here in Kananaskis Country.”
Enhancements to the West Bragg Creek PRA include a paved parking lot with 475 vehicle parking stalls, eight pull-through stalls in a separate equestrian parking area and two designated bus stalls. There's more signage, kiosks, benches, new washroom, a perimeter trail for easy access to the surrounding trailheads and a trail centre.
The trail itself is multi-use for those on foot, cross-country skis, snowshoes or riding horseback.
One final pedestrian bridge is scheduled for completion next year.
Over the years, the Alberta Government has contributed about $8 million to the project.
Among the many other partners is Rocky View County (RVC), who contributed $500,000 and engineering reviews for the project. They’ll also be contributing to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the trail.
“What’s good for Bragg Creek is good for Rocky View County,” says Reeve Greg Boehlke.
Boehlke says RVC is committed to this and other trail systems in the county as part of its transportation plan.
“We definitely are a believer in getting people out and moving around.”
Boehlke saluted those who contributed estimated 50,000 volunteers hours towards the project. Put into a dollar value he says it would easily amount to another million dollars.
Jeff Gruttz, of Alberta TrailNet, spoke of the success of such collaborations.
“The success of this project highlights the importance of partnerships, and the value of volunteerism and not-for-profits bring to the development of community and public infrastructure.”
Many, he says, already have. He says there has been a four-fold increase in the recreation area’s use over the last eight years and that’s good news for the hamlet.
“It’s a four-season trail so all year-long there’s lots of people coming out here. This is a great day for recreationists and businesses in the Bragg Creek area.”
He says the determination to see the project through to fruition speaks volumes of a community determined to seek further revitalization.
“It really speaks to the resiliency of this community. You can knock us down but you can’t knock us out, we get right up again. This is sort of a symbol of how strong this community is. With all these visitors coming here, this is a great opportunity for us.”
With this connection, the Trans-Canada Great Trail is now 24,000 km long and touches over 15,000 communities.
Robyn Seetal, of the Great Trail board, says the national trail system connects Canadians.
“Spend time on the Great Trail, experience it,” she said. “This is an age of hyper-connectivity that doesn’t come from a modem or twitter feed. The Great Trail invites you to connect in ways that truly matter. It invites you to connect deeply to yourself, to others, to the places we call home and to this landscape we call Canada.”
Tue, Apr 23, 5:00 PM
Communications/Media, Professionals, Skilled Trades, Full-time, Hourly, Seasonal