By Corey Fischer

Advisory Panel Considered For Trails

May 4, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Local groups and residents could get input on what they would like to see on the Okanagan Rail Trail — and other local trails.

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has passed a motion to get more information from regional district staff on an idea for a trails advisory board.

Chair Juliette Cunningham says that kind of input is important.

“We have the Ribbons of Green and North Okanagan Cycling Society. There is different groups that are very active in developing trails, and probably in a little better position to give us some input on how these trails should look,” Cunningham tells Beach Radio News.

Cunningham says regular members of the public would also be included.

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“Which we’ve done with a lot of other stakeholder advisory committees, where the public input comes to that committee and then they can bring recommendations to those of us who have to make decisions about spending money,” adds Cunningham.

“I think it should be all our trails because you need to connect them,” said GVAC director Jim Garlick, who proposed the idea of an advisory panel to get feedback on issues like trail access points, fencing, and washrooms.

GVAC has also passed a few other motions related to the Okanagan Rail Trail, the 47 km trail between Coldstream and Kelowna, due to officially open later this year.

One supports the establishment and operation of an interjurisdictional committee for the use, operation and further development of the ORT.

Another motion backs the end of the Interjurisdictional Development Team, which was involved in the purchase and initial development of the rail line, effective June 30, 2018.

The final motion supports RDNO staff reps being appointed to the Okanagan Rail Trail Committee by RDNO’s CAO, and reporting back to the board for consultation and approvals as required.

by Corey Fischer