Editor: It is gratifying to read from reports in the Feb. 19 issue that the federal government through the National Trail Council is contributing funds to a further extension of the Legacy Trail.
Also, the Alberta government through Tourism, Parks and Recreation is supporting rehabilitation of the Exshaw Creek trail system coupled with flood mitigation measures.
Such gestures at government levels reflects recognition of the Bow Valley as the prime corridor of recreational activity in Alberta and trails are the keys to these activities, fitness and appreciation of and respect for wild places.
Largely overlooked in positive support is the 70-kilometre route of the National Hiking Trail on the western slopes from Banff to Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country that was established and dedicated in 1991 with another 4,000 km spanning the country, primarily east of the prairies. Unknowingly, countless thousands tread or ski part of the Bow Valley route year-round; residents and visitors strolling, running, dog-walking, reasons galore.
The national trail movement was born in the 1970s and the National Trail Association of Canada under Letters Patent 1977 linked existing trail systems and continues as a 100 per cent volunteer organization (details at www.hikecanada.org). There is no connection with the National Trails (plural) Association named in your Exshaw report.
Budding hiking trail clubs across Canada are keen groups used to shoestring/bootlace operations and should be supported by all levels of government aware and taking heed of the huge proportion of walking public and hiking groups using and protecting local footpaths for the bonus benefits to present and future generations.
Doug Campbell,
founder and director, National Trail Association of Canada
