Archive for June, 2012

The Columbia River Greenways Alliance is gaining momentum and support for a network of trails in the Columbia Valley. A ‘spine-trail’ concept will initially connect Invermere and Radium, and eventually extend north to Golden and south to Canal Flats for non-motorized use such as: walking, running, biking, hiking, and rollerblading. Trails will allow for safe commuting off of the paved highway with various connections to other hiking/ walking/ biking loops, and will include various points of interest along the routes.

What is a ‘Spine-trail’ ?

This ‘spine-trail’ concept will include paths/or links which act as corridors that enable people and animals to travel within the greenway. Corridors may be animal migration routes, historic human travel paths, rivers and creeks, old roads, and man-made trails with boardwalks. ‘Nodes’/ or ‘hubs’ along the route will represent areas of ecological or cultural significance, such as: fitness stations, viewpoints/towers, interpretive signs/stations, and historic lens signs. Current development of the spine-trail will require the construction and paving of the Athalmer trail to the Crossroads trail, with linkages to: the proposed five kilometer Copper Point trail loop, the remaining nine kilometer northern segment of the Invermere crossroads to Radium trail, and a 27 kilometer trail from Invermere to Fairmont via Westside Road.

Next Steps: Funding & Non-Monetary Support

The CRGA is seeking monetary support in an amount of $400,000, for the completion of the initial ‘spine-trail’ route. The CRGA is pleased to have recently secured funding from two applications submitted for the Community Initiative Program, to the sum of $10,000. In the coming months, the CRGA will be completing and submitting an application for more substantial financial support to various additional funding entities. At this time, the CRGA is actively seeking non-monetary support from the community, in the form of volunteers and planning & construction services. The CRGA relies on collaboration with stakeholders who have a vested interest in the trail network. These supporters include landowners, First Nations, developers, conservation groups, and Federal, Provincial, Regional and Municipal Governments.

The ‘Copper Point’ Trail

The CRGA is currently in the process of negotiating a finalized trail route for a 4 km non-motorized recreational trail that loops around the Copper Point Golf Course. There are plans for this loop to include various fitness stations,  interpretive signage,  and view points along the pathway. The interpretive concept for this trail will be based on historical significance of copper in the area.

Proposed Route for ‘Copper Point’ Trail

(click image to enlarge)

How can you help the CRGA?

• Become a Member
• Make a Donation

Contact Information

• General Inquiries: info@greenways.ca
• Phone: (250) 342-0539

The 2012 Columbia River Greenways Alliance Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13, 2012 @ 7 PM at the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Hall (Crossroads). We welcome all members, partners, guests and friends to join us for an update on our achievements in 2011, and direction for 2012-13. We look forward to seeing you there!  

As always, we encourage new Greenways members to join and participate in regulary scheduled meetings, as individuals or representatives of community and area groups – CRGA meetings are held every second Thursday of each month.

For more information on ongoing and successfully completed projects visit: http://www.greenways.ca/projects/

For more information on how you can make a donation to the Columbia River Greenways Alliance, please visit http://www.greenways.ca/our-partners/make-a-donation/

 The Columbia River Greenways Alliance (CRGA) is gaining momentum and support for a network of trails in the Columbia Valley. A ‘spine-trail’ concept will initially connect Invermere and Radium, and eventually extend north to Golden and south to Canal Flats for non-motorized use such as: walking, running, biking, hiking, and rollerblading. Trails will allow for safe commuting off of the paved highway with various connections to other hiking/ walking/ biking loops, and will include various points of interest along the routes.

‘Spine-trail’ Concept

This ‘spine-trail’ concept will include paths/or links which act as corridors that enable people and animals to travel within the greenway. Corridors may be animal migration routes, historic human travel paths, rivers and creeks, old roads, and man-made trails with boardwalks. ‘Nodes’/ or ‘hubs’ along the route will represent areas of ecological or cultural significance, such as: fitness stations, viewpoints/towers, interpretive signs/stations, and historic lens signs. Current development of the spine-trail will require the construction and paving of the Athalmer trail to the Crossroads trail, with linkages to: the proposed five kilometer Copper Point trail loop, the remaining nine kilometer northern segment of the Invermere crossroads to Radium trail, and a 27 kilometer trail from Invermere to Fairmont via Westside Road.

Sources of Funding

The CRGA is seeking monetary support in an amount of $400,000, for the completion of the initial ‘spine-trail’ route. The CRGA is pleased to have recently secured funding from two applications submitted for the Community Initiative Program, to the sum of $10,000. In the coming months, the CRGA will be completing and submitting an application for more substantial financial support to various additional funding entities.

Call for Community Support

The CRGA relies on collaboration with stakeholders who have a vested interest in the trail network. These supporters include landowners, First Nations, developers, conservation groups, and Federal, Provincial, Regional and Municipal Governments. At this time, the CRGA is actively seeking non-monetary support from the community, in the form of volunteers and planning & construction services.