From Petition to Reality...
Regional Council endorsed a Community Trail for Fort Nelson & the Northern Rockies in 2004 following a petition by members of the community to incorporate a multi-use trail within the overall planning and budgeting process.  A conceptual multi-use trail was incorporated within the Town of Fort Nelson Northern Rockies Regional District Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 707, 2006 and the Spirit of BC Committee has spearheaded the project along with key interest groups, members of the public and Town/Regional District staff to make a community trail a reality.

What’s happened so far?
- Following a Request for Proposals in Summer 2006, consultants were hired to complete Phase 1: Work Program for Preparation of Master Plan for a Multi-Use Community Trail.
- In November 2006, a Public Meeting was held followed by a Public Information Survey resulting in the presentation of a report to Regional Council outlining Phase 1 – 2007 Trail Development.
- Phase 1 Trail Development was scheduled to begin in 2007 – the objective being to construct as much of the outer “primary” trail loop as possible.  In addition to various grants/funds accessed by the Spirit of BC Committee, Regional Council also committed funds through a five-year plan towards the construction of Phase 1 of the Community Trail.
- The Spirit of BC Committee and Staff have been busy securing funding, finalizing a route within Municipal or Crown lands, and securing land and all necessary permits to construct a multi-use Community Trail.

When will Phase 1 be constructed?
In 2008, all preparation work for the Community Trail construction is scheduled for completion.  This includes timber removal, grubbing, piling and burning of logging debris.
Trail construction is scheduled for the 2008/09 season.

What will a Community Trail cost?
Phase 1 is estimated to cost approximately $1.2 million – ½ of the cost is to be provided through grant funding and the remainder through budgeting by Regional Council (2007 – 2012) for construction, maintenance and operational costs, and further grant/sponsorship opportunities.

What does “multi-use” mean?
The Community Trail will link several residential, commercial and public open space destinations and will be a paved, non-motorized, trail system suitable for runners, walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers, etc.

Will Snowmobile/ATV users in the community be affected?
As demonstrated on the map, Regional Council and the Spirit of BC Committee worked with the Snowmobile Club and ATV users in the community to minimize potential conflict between the non-motorized community trail and established motorized trails. Signage, designated entry points and community awareness programs will be employed to further reduce negative impact on all trails.

Will homeowners be affected by trail construction?
As shown on the map, Phase 1 will be constructed along the perimeter of the community with a large “buffer zone” between residential areas and the trail.  No privately owned land will be affected by the construction of the trail as only Municipal and Crown lands formed the area for the trail.

PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF HEAVY MACHINERY/EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE