With the City of Calgary approving the extension of its trail system to connect with the east boundary of Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park (GRPP), the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (GRPF) is hoping to raise funds that would ultimately complete the eastern trial linking the two pathway systems.
“This will provide the long-anticipated connection to Calgary,” said Susan de Caen, executive director for the GRPF. “If we can raise the necessary funds, we can start construction in the spring, with the goal to have the trails connected for visitor use in 2016.”
The GRPF estimates the cost to complete the eastern trail within the park would ring in at $350,000.
The foundation has committed funding from Alberta Trail Net and Trans Canada Trail to put toward the completion of the eastern pathway, and is actively looking to raise more funds, particularly through its Ride for the Ranch event, which takes place Sept. 13 and all funds raised from the event will be put toward the trail completion.
“Calgary Parks is working with the provincial park and the foundation to complete the last remaining link through Haskayne Park, which would complete the connection from the city of Calgary through to the town of Cochrane,” said Doug Marter, manager for City of Calgary Parks, Planning and Development. “Once completed, this route will also form part of the Trans Canada Trail network and will allow users access to some of the most spectacular parkland and vistas the Bow River Valley has to offer.”
For more information on the park’s Ride for the Ranch visit grpf.ca/ride, and to donate toward the trail completion or other GRPF projects, visit grpf.ca/donate.
