The Bowmont Natural Environment Park Management Plan was presented to the Standing Policy Committee of the Community and Protective Services Committee (read selected Aldermen) on October 29, 2003. The Plan that was presented was approved by the Committee and will now go before City Council for what is generally a formal approval.

CMBA have been involved over the three years that the Plan has been in the making. We support the Plan and are pleased with the outcome. As cyclists, we retained access to all of the same trails that will be open to walkers, hikers etc. We need to respect that access. The process treated mountain bicyclists as equal partners and park users, with respect to other park user groups.

• Resource Management Issues and Policy Guidelines
• Vision and objectives
• Map of the proposed design development plan

The plan may be downloaded from the City of Calgary website.

Resource Management Issues and Policy Guidelines

Trail Management

Background:

A significant problem in Bowmont Park is the damage to vegetation and fragmentation of habitat caused by the proliferation of trails.

'Undesignated trail' is the name given to informal trails that are neither created nor maintained by Parks. 'Designated trails' are those which are formally recognised and maintained. Informal trails are created by users who traverse the park creating a myriad of informal, undesignated trails. Park users want to have equal access to the park, and existing designated trails may not provide them with the experience they wish. The existing paved regional pathway when considered alone provides only limited access to the park.

Vision and objectives

Vision

Bowmont Natural Environment Park is a Major Natural Area in Calgary's northwest. Situated on the north shore of the Bow River, Bowmont is a long linear park that preserves native grasslands, riverine balsam poplar forests and stream bank habitats. The park has a high diversity of landforms including escarpment, ravines, springs, flood plain, floodway and islands. This parkland will be protected and managed to ensure it continues to fulfill its ecological functions, while providing for sensitive human use. Park development and management will provide opportunities for appropriate levels of access to people so that they can enjoy and appreciate the natural environments, while ensuring the park's protection and restoration where required.