July 18, 2002
Way back in 1994 the City approved a perimeter pathway for Nose Hill Park. Since then no budget has ever been allocated, but the proposal has been bandied around extensively. Some are suggesting a pathway outside of the existing park boundary, which could be very un-esthetic and just as dangerous as riding on the freeway. Others have proposed a pathway fenced on both sides to prevent pathway users from entering the park. One party has even proposed removing the Porcupine Valley pathway - you'll notice that it was erased from the Calgary Cycle Map this year. CMBA would like to approach the problem with a slightly more conciliatory attitude.
CMBA believes that an inexpensive but functional pathway can be formalized around the park without tons of asphalt, fences, freeway crossings or impediments for bicycle access. What we would like to see is a way of linking the access routes(*) so you can ride up and down the hill on a variety of paths, or circumnavigate the park. It will be multi-use and can accommodate people's recreational needs as well as providing bicycle commuters with an alternative to freeway riding. And it can fit with the parks natural character.
We are looking for at least two people who are willing to make a commitment to see this effort through with the City. The City has been approached and can set up a sub-committee in the fall to review the issue. These sorts of efforts generally take over a year so we would like someone who can commit to attend up to two years of meetings, perhaps six per year, and captain the effort. The purpose is to develop a clear plan for a perimeter trail, so that the pilot trail or any other trail re-designation fits in with the plan.
If this sort of effort sounds interesting to you, please contact Pete Griba at pngriba@pgco.ab.ca or 804-0619. Even if you can't make a full commitment, we still need people behind this to plan the trail - it's a big park!
* Officially bicycles are restricted to all but 2% of the escarpment trails. Unofficially this ban has never been imposed.
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March 12, 2002
In a word... Lot's... (not the real estate type!)
We have seen a tremendous number of positive changes on the hill this past year. Many people volunteered energy, and time to help build the Demonstration trail on the east side of the Park. This trail is a joint effort between the City and CMBA to create a multi-use trail that will provide good walking and riding experiences while being sustainable and environmentally sensitive. You may have seen the orange fences blocking off some of the trails. Many of these are associated with the demonstration trail. The long term goal is to turn a random network of unsustainable trails into a series of interlinked trails that provide interesting riding (and walking) experiences while being able to support the greater number of people that are using the Hill. You may find that your favorite trail is one of the ones that are being reclaimed but be assured that our aim is to provide everyone with a positive experience. This means that you may need to change your route somewhat but you should still be able to find an equivalent experience to what you previously had. The demonstration trail is only one small part of the overall network but it has to be successful if we are going to be allowed to expand the sustainable trail network. To be successful we have to be able to reclaim some of the more heavily used and environmentally unsustainable trails so please respect the closures.
Would you like a tour this spring of where it goes? We will be offering several club rides this season to help all become aware of some of the recent trail closures, and why it was felt some of these trails should be closed.
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May 15, 2001
The Nose Hill Pilot Trail Sub-Committee had several meetings over the fall and winter to discuss the monitoring, final routing and construction of the proposed trail. The proposed trail was approved by the Nose Hill Management Advisory Committee (NHMAC) in the fall of 2000.
We need volunteers to work on this trail!
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