The Similkameen Trail is getting closer to fully connecting Cawston and Keremeos.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is currently finishing off the design phase ahead of installing a bridge over Keremeos Creek. According to the Similkameen Trail Society, the RDOS has already taken possession of the bridge ahead of a review of the environmental impact and installation.
The only other hurdle slowing down the development of the trail are negotiations with two properties along the trail’s pathway that have expanded onto the Crown land of the old railbed.
According to Erick Thompson, communications manager for the RDOS, the negotiations are being handled by the Ministry of Transportation.
The RDOS is optimistic that both will be resolved in 2022.
Some of the work that has been done recently includes reworking the trail near the corner of Coulthard and Highway 3, where it is being moved away from the highway.
READ MORE: Similkameen trails group hard at work
The trail society is currently planning several opportunities to get together and out into the community ahead of the grand opening of the trail starting on the Victoria Day long weekend.
This society ride welcomes both current and new members to a non-competitive social ride along a route that highlights what work has been done and the potential for the future.
The exact date will be finalized at the society’s next meeting, and anyone interested in joining can contact joe@bikesimilkameen.com with the subject line: May Long Society Ride. Those interested are also asked to include how many riders are expected to join to help with preparations.
The society is also looking for anyone interested in contributing to planning and/or implementing a potential mountain bike skills park at Kobau Park. Anyone interested is asked to contact joe@bikesimilkameen.com with the subject line: Bike Skills Park.
Finally, the society has also been working with the Nature Trust to look at renewing the Wainwright Land Trust’s walking trail. The trail is currently accessible off the dyke south of the Newton Road parking lot and requires some work to map and survey the existing trail.
The trust is hoping to send a team out to do a GPS/environmental survey of the existing trail this spring and with the hope of being able to rebuild it in the fall. The society will be looking to members to help volunteer their time to make it a reality.
If you are interested in contributing to the planning and implementation of this project you can contact joe@bikesimilkameen.com with the subject line: Nature Trust Trail.
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