Local, national events celebrate Canada’s Great Trail system

It’s still a work in progress. But the nation’s Great Trail system was the focus of celebration over weekend, in Alberta and across the nation.

Along with a national event in Ottawa, communities like Medicine Hat that are linked by the trail took time to focus on the importance of recreational trails.

“Alberta has the secondlongest portion of the Great Trail in Canada,” pointed out Ricardo Miranda, the province’s minister of culture and tourism.

“Through mountains and waterways, Alberta is the crossroads between the east, west and northern provinces and territories.”

The province continues to invest in safe and affordable recreation opportunities for Albertans, he said.

More than a century ago, observed Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips, the provincial governments had the foresight to protect Alberta’s forests, mountains and glaciers.

“Our government has made a strong commitment to preserving nature and investing in our parks, because doing so pays dividends,” she said.

“Congratulations and thanks to the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, Alberta TrailNet and the generous donors and volunteers for making the High Rockies Trail a reality, Phillips added.

Along with recreational trails in the foothills and mountains, the Alberta government is also promoting use of urban trail networks like the one built in Lethbridge. The city boasts more than 140 kilometres of paved, multi-purpose walkways, its brochures show.

Along with well-used routes as the Coal Banks Trail and the pathways through Henderson Park, it lists longer walks in places like Cottonwood Park, Pavan Park and Alexander Wilderness Park — all part of a network of river valley trails created by the city’s parks department.

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