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Maple Ridge trail users want crossing over North Alouette River

Silver Valley neighbourhood trail system to be expanded and improved
trail
Trail development in Silver Valley is on the agenda for Maple Ridge council.

The City of Maple Ridge heard from about 500 people who offered feedback for coming trail improvements in the Silver Valley Neighbourhood, and they largely want a crossing over the North Alouette River.

City hall recently announced the results of its survey, which had 461 respondents, and the open houses which saw 45 attendees. Now staff is using the feedback to develop a trail improvement plan. Staff reviewed the feedback for council at January meetings.

The increasingly popular urban trails started as equestrian routes, and are now multi-use trails.  The city's plans now include:

• More looping trails and trail connections

• A trail parking area and washroom at the north end of 236th Street

• Better signage, maps and wayfinding

• New trail connections built by developers

• Assess the feasibility of bridge crossing 

City Hall's work follows receipt of a petition from residents of the north Maple Ridge neighbourhood in the summer of 2024.

Chad Neufeld, manager of parks planning and development, went over the trails plan with council.

The city survey heard from the right folks – of those who responded, 62 per cent use the Silver Valley trails multiple times per week, for strolling, dog walking, trail running, mountain biking and riding horses. Of those, half spend 30 minutes to an hour on the trails, while 42 per cent said they will spend up to three hours.

Some other feedback:

62 per cent want a crossing of the North Alouette River

52 per cent would like more trails

47 per cent want better signage

38 per cent prefer trail loops

36 per cent asked for better trail connectivity

36 per cent asked for waste receptacles

The public requested better connections, and to continue Docksteader Trail to Anderson Creek, which is planned. They also would like to continue the trail from Foreman Drive to the Green Pond Trail.

Coun. Sunny Schiller asked about off-leash trails for dogs, and Neufeld said it's a topic for a city-wide trails strategy, which will be dealt with later this year.

"There's a lot of things we need to consider, especially interactions with wildlife, and other people's use of the trails," he said.

The plan will be back before the public for more feedback before work begins.



Neil Corbett

About the Author: Neil Corbett

I have been a journalist for more than 30 years, the past decade with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News.
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