Red Deer may boast an extensive trail system, but neighbouring Lacombe County recently added a stretch of trail that is unique in Central Alberta.
The Central Alberta Regional Trail Society officially opened a new leg of the Trans Canada Trail System. This rural path stretches from Lacombe to Blackfalds.
Debbie Olsen, Central Alberta Regional Trail Society president, said this means that it is possible for someone to cycle from Lacombe to Blackfalds without having to risk their lives on the highway.
“This trail is paved all the way to the boundary of the municipality of Blackfalds,” said Olsen.
“Then you go on the edge of a gravel road, which we’re hoping to fix that part and get it to be actual trail, but you can take the Town of Blackfalds trails around and at the other end we have trail that connects all the way to the municipal boundary of Red Deer.”
The trail was officially opened Saturday along a section of the trail located at the Lacombe Research Centre off of the C and E Trail.
As the trail is entirely rural, those who were behind its completion had to negotiate with land owners to set it up.
“Before it was paved last fall we had people using it and I hope it will be used more and more,” said Olsen. “We did a lot of neat things with regards to the signage along the trail, which just went up last week.”
The signs talk about different parts of the trail, for example the ones at the Research Centre site talk about the centre’s history and other aspects of it.
At the Lacombe Lake site there is a boardwalk and a gazebo.
On some signs Grade 5 students were recruited to write about the flora and fauna and research it properly for a sign.
Olsen said Albertans contributed more per capita than any other province in Canada to build the Trans Canada Trail.
“But, we have less trail than any other province in Canada,” said Olsen.
“Part of the problem is it has been difficult to get trails through rural areas.”
The concerns have been around vandalism, litter or trail related trouble.
“When I say this is the finest example of rural trail in the province, it is,” said Olsen. “What we’re hoping is this section of trail will help spur other rural municipalities to want to connect.”
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com