Now is your chance to contribute by joining the Comox Valley Trails Alliance, a new group being formed in the Comox Valley.
It will hold a series of informal meetings over the next weeks. The meetings are an opportunity to share ideas about the mission and governance structure of the alliance and gather feedback to guide the next steps.
It is also a time to find out how you can be involved. The alliance will solicit applications from people who wish to serve on the board of directors, on a working group or in helping in many other ways.
The meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
• May 14 at the Soroptimist Lounge in Courtenay (411 Anderton Ave, Florence Filberg Centre);
• May 15 at the Black Fin Pub conference room in Comox (132 Port Augusta St).
Many communities in B.C. have found a trails alliance to be beneficial.
For example, over the past eight years, the Shuswap Trails Alliance has completed 70 greenway trail projects valued at more than $1.2 million in amenity assets. Rossland, Fernie and Squamish are also examples of communities that have benefited from a dedicated trails association.
The Comox Valley Trails Alliance believes the Comox Valley and surrounding areas could also profit from a professionally minded trails society operating under transparent and accountable processes and representing the diversity of non-motorized trail users in our community.
Comox Valley Trails Alliance goals are to work with outdoor recreation groups, government and private land owners to maintain and enhance the Comox Valley area non-motorized recreational trail network.
In addition, the Alliance aims to maintain responsible, non-motorized trail access on Comox Valley area Crown lands and private lands.
Ensuring access is an important issue in the Comox Valley, where many trails lie on private land. The focus would also be to build alliances and support the excellent work of the numerous organizations that already exist in the Comox Valley.
For further information or to be placed on the e-mail list, contact cvtrails@gmail.com or find them on Facebook at Comox Valley Trails Alliance.
— Comox Valley Trails Alliance