Cochrane, AB - Wild Rose MP Blake Richards made an announcement Feb. 7, revealing the federal funding announcements totaling $255,000 for support of recreational trails across Southern Alberta.
The support is for the trail system networks across the Eastern Slopes, including McLean Creek, the Southern Ghost recreational area, Fallen Timber, Hunter Valley and Rig Street.
“Our government is pleased to support the good stewardship of groups like the Rocky Mountain Dirt Bikers, Eastern Slopes ATV Society, Big Horn Heritage ATV Society and the Alberta Off Highway Vehicles Association,” said Richards in a recent press release, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, minister of infrastructure, communities and intergovernmental affairs.
“By investing in trail infrastructure, our government is encouraging job creation, linking communities and increasing recreational opportunities for Canadians. Through this commitment, we are continuing to support economic growth...”
The federal investment will go toward expanding and improving snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, off-road motorcycle and non-motorized recreational trails from “coast to coast to coast.”
The funds are a result of a partnership between the federal government and the National Trails Coalition, where $10 million has been made available between 2014-2016 to help expand and rehabilitate Canadian trail systems.
Of the $255,000 for projects in Southern Alberta, $33,000 will go to the Rocky Mountain Dirt Riders Association to rehab and construct dirt bike trails in McLean Creek and Southern Ghost recreational area. Some $128,000 will go to the Eastern Slopes ATV Society to rehab and improve an ATV staging area in the Southern Ghost recreational area and improve trails in the Fallen Timber and Hunter Valley areas.
The Clearwater Trail Initiatives’ Rig Street Pilot Project will receive $94,000 to establish a multi-stakeholder management plan for recreational trails in the County of Clearwater, by Caroline, Alta; this funding flows through the Big Horn Heritage ATV Society.
