Editor:
Re: Anger at trail society (Jan. 5, 2011 issue of the Grand Forks Gazette)
I’m writing in response to Mr. Cody Harp’s letter in (Jan. 5’s) Gazette.
Mr. Harp’s comments regarding the new lit path were the most ignorant he’s made yet. I have lived right next to the Trans Canada Trail for the last eight years. Prior to it being paved, we had a few dog walkers, a few people using it for exercise, and a whole LOT of drug deals, a rape, and many drunken fights going on behind our house.
Now that the trail has been widened, lit and paved we have seen a wonderful increase in the right kind of traffic.
We now have mothers pushing their babies in strollers, old folks pushing their walkers, joggers, nice people walking their dogs, and people cycling.
There is NO ROOM for dirt bikers anymore, Cody! How dare you think that you would be within your right to use the path for dirt biking! Grand Forks has a gazillion places for dirt bikers. By using the trail for dirt biking, you take the risk of injuring someone or their pet. Not only that, what about the poor mother who has finally gotten her baby to sleep in the stroller, and you come ripping by? I appreciate the trail society’s decision to beautify the Trans Canada Trail. I truly can’t thank them enough. I do love the idea of benches and waste receptacles, but I would encourage them to use the money to find a way to completely block motorized vehicles from using the path.
Jen Burrows, Grand Forks