Salmo Valley Trail Expansion Project to Start
By Contributor
The Village of Salmo is pleased to announce that it has received $56,000 from the BC Rural Dividend Program for a trail expansion project throughout the Salmo Valley.
The Village has partnered with the Salmo Valley Trail Society which has spearheaded trail development in the area. This trail expansion project includes the construction of up to 13 kilometers of trails for hiking and biking enthusiasts.
“The Village is committed to enhancing economic development through supporting outdoor recreation opportunities and active living for local residents,” says Mayor White.
“These trails will also help attract and retain new residents and create a tourism attraction that will support local businesses.”
A trails plan was put together by the Salmo Valley Trail Society in 2016 based on community feedback over the last few years. The $96,000 project, also funded by Columbia Basin Trust and the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, involves the hiring of a paid trail crew. Construction is expected to commence by May 1st and continue until the Fall of 2017.
The first projects to be undertaken are a hiking-only trail above Delaurentis Road and expansion of the biking and hiking trails at the Salmo Ski Hill. Pending identification of an appropriate trailhead location, the next project will be the reclamation of the Lost Mountain hiking trail (starts from Highway 3).
The crew also hopes to restore the bridges on the Panther Lake trail and are in discussions with BC Parks on the development of a short nature trail in Erie Creek Provincial Park.
“Once finished, these trails will create a great variety of options within the Salmo valley,” said Jillian Russell, president of the Salmo Valley Trail Society.
“We hope the expanded trail network will meet the needs of our local communities as well as support visitors and tourists.”
The BC Rural Dividend is a provincial fund providing $25 million a year over four years to assist rural communities with a population of 25,000 or less to reinvigorate and diversify their local economies.
The program is focused on supporting worthy projects that help rural communities navigate changes impacting their economies, such as attracting and retaining youth, using innovation to drive economic growth, and developing new and effective partnerships to support shared prosperity.
Follow trail construction progress on the Salmo Valley Trail Society’s Facebook page. More information can also be found on the Salmo Valley Trail Society website.
Information about Recreation and Attractions in Salmo and the surrounding valley can be found on the Village of Salmo’s website.
