City & M.D. look at joint Trails Master Plan

A guiding document that outlines the future growth for walking and ATV trails around Cold Lake and the M.D. of Bonnyville has been completed by a consultant. 

Meant as a reference for developing new trails and the maintenance of others, RC Strategies presented to each community’s elected council this week. 

The Intermunicipal Trails Master Plan was built off of a survey done last summer, conversations between the consultant and user groups, pop-up sessions, meeting with surrounding Indigenous communities.

“What it did was identified your main trails or where the public has sort of requested for trails,” said Cold Lake mayor Craig Copeland. 

“It’s a partnership between us and the M.D. of Bonnyville, it’s all part of the ICF (Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework). And trails was identified that we both could work together on identifying trails. The M.D. of Bonnyville deserves a lot of credit on this project, too.” 

The survey was conducted between July 7 to August 31, 2022. In total, 246 survey responses were received with more Cold Lake residents responding. 

Some of the top values highlighted in responses was connection among trails, quality of experience, and quality of life.

According to city notes, 12 priority connections, between the City and MD were identified, including connecting to Cold Lake Provincial Park, Kinosoo Ridge, and rural subdivisions. A high-level estimate of cost was provided for seven of the connections between the City and MD that were identified as the highest priority.

Part of RC Strategies presentation to Cold Lake and M.D. councils. Image: RC Strategies.

The masterplan document totals 220 pages and digs deep into RC Strategies findings and a path to move forward when the time is right for each municipality to build.

“A good example in Cold Lake would be from Cold Lake North along 16th Avenue going to the Provincial Park. A lot of people love going to the Provincial Park, but they drive and then walk their dog or walk the trails there. The idea would be to do a connecting trail from the community to the Provincial Park. That would be a small one,” said Copeland. 

“I know a lot of the off-roaders really are concerned about the May Lake Trail that they want to keep it in its natural state and not be limited on who can access it. We’ve got a lot of big trucks that go on that bog there. And so having a designated trail, having an official parking lot, somewhere there where people can park with their rigs, and then keeping the usage there.” 

Cold Lake referred to the document to its corporate priorities meeting. The M.D. will discuss adopting the masterplan at a future meeting.