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LETTER: Public forum on West Bow River pathway should be held

Editor: I am relatively new to Canmore and live downtown. I couldn’t help but notice two letters in the Sept. 15 Outlook expressing support for the Town’s plans for the West Bow River Pathway. It seems a contentious issue, so I wondered why there wasn’t

Editor:

I am relatively new to Canmore and live downtown. I couldn’t help but notice two letters in the Sept. 15 Outlook expressing support for the Town’s plans for the West Bow River Pathway. It seems a contentious issue, so I wondered why there wasn’t also a letter against the Town’s plans.

Digging through various public documents to be better informed, I found that improvement of trails was flagged inside Canmore’s Open Space and Trails Plan for further public feedback.

The most controversial recommendations were regarding the paving of trails on Pg. 45 that says “reasons given by those opposed included: desire to keep trails natural, maintain community character, paving being harder on the joints for running, being more expensive to maintain, creates less water absorption, snow clearing is still possible on gravel (it’s done in Banff), and that paved trails were icier in winter. There was also concern that paved pathways will crack with frost heaving, and so aren’t the most logical surfacing choice for our climate.”

Besides agreeing to all these concerns, I would like to add my point that gravel is tactile. The crunching sound of walking on it, the way the rocks cushion yet support your weight when running, walking or cycling is joyful. And, you can hear oncoming or approaching traffic on gravel.

Meanwhile, that trails plan further stated “those in favour felt it would mean the trail would be more user-friendly in a wider variety of conditions and times of year.”

There was also opposition to all recommendations which suggested improving trail quality since “those who gave a reason for being opposed to such recommendations largely felt that user experience would be compromised, and trails should be left as they are and not made overly manicured.”

How incredible that the issues identified in this report from 2015 specifically stated the Town should seek user feedback regarding any changes to trail systems. Feedback is an essential part of the process. Yet, we are now in 2022, and the Town has plans to make changes to this trail. Where and when was the public allowed to provide their input?

I ask the mayor and council to hold a public forum, to give its citizens a chance to express their views and decisions be made democratically.

I am against paving any of the trails along the Bow River. They are a respite of nature – please try to keep some things wild in this Town.

Nancy Pon,

Canmore

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