The Valleycliffe-to-downtown pedestrian trail is one of the busiest in the entire valley, and its deteriorating condition has led Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) members to say it has "fallen off the map."
The environmental organization expressed concern over the Hospital Hill trail's steep, eroding slopes, private property issues and general poor condition during a presentation to District of Squamish council Tuesday (Sept. 7).
The delegation included a five-page report with 17 recommendations to make the trail safer and more convenient for pedestrians.
"Even active trails advocates and volunteers aren't familiar with our area, though we can't expect them to be familiar with every part of our district," said Squamish CAN member Eric Andersen in an interview with The Chief.
"We felt it was timely that a comprehensive orientation be given because it's complex and so we tried to make as clear of a picture and sort of a map as possible."
Council received the report without comment.
Andersen said a number of Squamish CAN members live in Valleycliffe and are among the "dozens and dozens of people who use that trail network every day and experience its issues every day."
"The Squamish CAN report to district staff and council is a collaborative effort that goes back some years, in fact, prior to the founding of Squamish CAN," said Andersen.
The problems range from an exposed pipe, steep areas, loose gravel, protruding stumps, the need for handrails and stairs and private property issues.
"Private property - the district must confront the ongoing burdens faced by these property owners - purchase or compensation," stated the CAN report.
A 2005 trail improvement project trespassed on private property and removed soil and planted trees, it added.
The report said the two pathway options between Scott Road and Highway 99 are completely inadequate since extra paving is required along one and debris removal along the other.
Squamish CAN also studied the 2013 multi-modal transportation plan bike lane map, which labels the section of the pedestrian trail between Northridge Drive and Scott Crescent as an off-road bike trail.
"For the safety of the pedestrians and due to the physical vulnerability of this trail section, bicycle use should be discouraged," stated the report. "The above trail section should otherwise be reserved for pedestrians as priority users."
The group went on to explain the report was prepared after extensive consultation with landowners, local residents and regular trail users.
"We hope that the district staff, the trail organizations and other interests involved, including, not least, the landowners, will give comprehensive - with a capital 'C' - attention to this trail," said Andersen.
