by Jill Gunnarson
The Grand Forks ATV Club is putting the final touches on this year’s Trails of the North Fork project.
If you have ever wondered where the recreation sites are located or the location of Bluejoint lookout, the signs are now in place.
If you have never been on the Wolf Trail (Lower Granby Trail), created in 1996 by local Grand Forks Secondary School teachers and students, it has now been upgraded with a new bridge and the amenities have been improved. This is an area with great views and special sights of the Granby River.
This year over 760 kilometres of trails have been signed, nine new recreation sites built, a 24x30 interpretive centre, also the Upper and Lower Granby Trails have been cleared and there are new hiking trails for everyone to use.
These are all shared trails were users respect each other’s right to be on the trail.
The Grand Forks ATV Club, with help from numerous partners along with local as well as provincial, federal funding, sees the completion of the project, Trails of the North Fork, as an increased economic driver for potential to contribute significant economic benefits to our local region.
“It offers increased opportunity for visitors to experience the natural beauty of the landscape as they travel,” said ATV club president Doug Zorn.
Signage has been placed to ensure safety for all users and to encourage users to remain on the trial and by doing so help prevent the spread of weeds and damage to the environment.
Everyone hopes that the project will lead all users to have a deep respect for the environment, wildlife, collaboration and cooperation.
The GFATV Club would like to thank all of the partners that have come together to make this trail project possible. The crew is also recognized for their participation of their hard work in the success of the project. They come away with the feeling of accomplishment of the work done and the acquired new skills and training that they will be able to transfer to new opportunities.
The club would also like to thank all the recreation site users who visit the recreation sites. Nearly 100 per cent of the users clean up the sites and leave the area as clean or better than when they arrive.