The Corridor Trail Committee hosted an open house on Monday (April 15) in an effort to determine how the District of Squamish should use approximately $850,000 intended to complete a trail connecting Valleycliffe to Brackendale. About 100 residents mulled over a series of six sectional maps displaying various route options covering nine kilometres and their pros and cons. The multi-use trail will ultimately be a part of the Sea to Sky Trail stretching from Horseshoe Bay to D'Arcy. Committee chair Coun. Patricia Heintzman was encouraged by the turnout."What we really wanted to do is make sure the public felt they could contribute and make comments and that they were valid," she said. "It's amazing when you think a year of work and it's just on these six boards because it really doesn't look like much."However, it took careful planning, studying and, of course, walking and riding to determine the set of routes that will balance efficient commuting with maintenance, safety and environmental considerations, said Heintzman. "That's one of the main things this committee did is we went to at least five different areas and said 'Okay, today we're going to ride and scope out Brennan Park to Cleveland,' and then other groups went out to look at habitat issues on those different routes."Residents mingled with committee members during the latter stages of the open house, working out details and clarifying the challenges posed by each area. The trails options for Section Two (Cleveland Street to Finch Drive), for example, include the pre-existing forest trail, a trail running along Highway 99 and another running along Loggers Lane. Committee member Carl Halvorson said the Highway 99 option would have to be very close to the road because of wetlands and other environmental factors. So although it would be direct it would also have the feeling of a detached bike lane.And so goes the compromises when planning for such a lengthy connector across town. In order to make the project more manageable, the committee is breaking it down into three phases. Phase one includes building the entire trail from the Stawamus Chief Apron parking lot to Depot Road with hard packed gravel surfaces. In phase two the committees will look at surfacing options for the entire trail or specific sections. It costs in the range of approximately $60 per metre for a crushed and compacted gravel surface trail to $300 per metre for a paved surface."We talked about just doing a small piece of it and paving it [] but then we can only do about three kilometres of trail if we want it paved," said Heintzman. "But we can do the whole thing graveled for about $600,000 or $700,000. So, basically what we said was we can do the whole trail now and then over the next five years start budgeting."Phase three will include adding various amenities like lighting, benches, art, bear-proof bins and signage.District Trails Coordinator Todd Pope requests all questionnaires be returned via fax (604)898-4035 or directly to City Hall by Monday (April 21).For more information go to www.squamish.ca.
