Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance - The Nose Hill Trails Policy has passed through council

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The Nose Hill Trails Policy has passed through council

April 2000

The policy regarding trails in Nose Hill Park has passed through council. During review Alderman Joanne Kerr stated that the City has moved beyond the belief that cyclists cause excessive damage and now understands that cyclists and pedestrians create similar impacts. She has further stated that the goal of the City with regard to Nose Hill Park is one of inclusion rather than exclusion.

The policy as adopted by city council reflects this. It calls for CMBA to work with other interested users to review the applicability of using the IMBA Trail care procedures to manage the trails in the Park. It also directs the administration to encourage the cycling community to take an active role in the ongoing management of Nose Hill Park. We, as the cycling community, are now in a position to make positive contributions to protecting Nose Hill Park's natural character while still maintaining quality cycling on the Hill.

Subsequent to the policy being passed Alderman Kerr has chaired two meetings to begin the process of implementing the policy. We have participated in those meeting and feel confident that the City is committed to taking the needs of cyclists into account in the future management of the Park.

CMBA is supporting the process in four ways:

Mike Zelensky has volunteered to manage CMBA's trail care activities in the Park. This will involve designing and building a pilot trail to test the IMBA guidelines and the rerouting of the 18 poorly placed access trails.
Pete Griba has volunteered to manage CMBA's monitoring activities. This includes supporting the City in monitoring the Park for environmental impact and user satisfaction.
We are anticipating placing up to three representatives on the Nose Hill Management Advisory Committee. These people will understand the needs of cyclists but will also be able to take a strong and knowledgeable stand in protecting the Park.
We are participating with the City to explore cycling options in the newly announced Inland Park. This area may provide options to support the more extreme cyclists and cycling activities.

This represents a major commitment of time and resources for CMBA. We will need a large number of volunteers to take an active role in both trail maintenance and monitoring activities. The payoff is in the creation of a Park where cyclists can ride, confident that they have a right to be there and are actively participating in protecting the Park for the future. It also sets the groundwork for the cycling community to participate on an equal footing with other user groups in the other natural areas in Calgary.

If you can volunteer some time send Glenn an e-mail at glenn.krahulic@tyrastrategies.com.