Celebrating the completion of the West Bragg Creek ‘All Season’ Trails & TransCanada Trail – Hamlet of Bragg Creek to West Bragg Creek – Phase 1
On September 12th, the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association held a wonderful ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the All Seasons Trail system in West Bragg Creek, Kananaskis, as well as the beginning of the work on the Trans-Canada Trail segment along the West Bragg Creek Road. Beautiful weather, lots of people, and a good time had by all. We are tremendously grateful for all the incredible support we have received from volunteers and crew leaders, but special thanks must go to Eric Lloyd and Robert Sadee for their remarkable vision and fund-raising. Over the past few years, they have spent hundreds of hours writing grant proposals, which have contributed 90% of the funding the Association has received. Nor could we have got as far as we have without our partners and financial backers – too many to name here, but who are listed on one of the plaques now permanently installed in the West Bragg Creek trails parking lot.
The segment of the Trans-Canada Trail along West Bragg Creek Road is off to a fantastic start. It is not quite complete as there is still some gravel to be placed on the trail close to Range Road 52, our signs and crosswalk need to be installed and a few touch ups need to be added. Currently we are in the midst of a 3 week work hiatus since our contractor had previously committed to another job in Nanton, but we look forward to his return near the end of September or beginning of October to complete Phase 1 of the trail. Our fitness area is almost complete as well, thanks to the donation from Mountain Woods Health Services and the generous contribution from Rick and Donna Sukovieff, who allowed us to use land adjacent to the trail. Check it out!
It is wonderful to see so many people already using and enjoying the trail. Even though it’s not officially open yet, if you do use it please remember that it is a ‘Non-Motorized Trail’ only.
In our efforts to continue to build pathways to wellness and connectivity, the GBCTA will soon be kicking off a campaign to raise $100,000 to complete the West Bragg Creek trail. Visit our website at www.braggcreektrails.org to see how you can help contribute and leave a lasting legacy in your name, the name of a loved one, or the name of your organization. Purchase 1m or up to 1 km and have your support of this national project recognized for many years to come.
The West Bragg Creek All Season Trail Plan was created to improve non-motorized trail users’ experience with the development of a sustainable multi-use summer and winter trail system, while minimizing the environmental impact of recreational use.
Since September 2010: 72 km of new trails have been completed; 22 km of trails have been upgraded; $720,000 in funding has been raised and spent; 14,000 volunteer hours have been donated; 130,000 visitors/ year (triple, since implementation of the West Bragg Creek All Season Trail Plan).
