Recreational pathways along the Columbia River will get an accessibility upgrade thanks to Revelstoke Adaptive Sports Program (RASP) and Illecillewaet Greenbelt Society (IGS).
The organizations are collaborating with support from the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C and the City of Revelstoke to update the trail starting near the Revelstoke Workers’ Memorial in Centennial Park, which includes steep drops, narrow sections and loose debris.
Volunteers will ease the grades of some sections and improve trail surfaces so mobility aid users, adaptive trikes, strollers and walkers with mobility and balance disabilities can access the trail.
“It’s a step forward for inclusive recreation. We’re removing barriers and letting people access trails like you and I would,” Sandra Whitty, executive director of RASP said.
Trail resurfacing materials are still being researched, and one goal is to protect the updated path from excessive erosion and water pooling during Revelstoke’s spring and fall.
“It needs to be a surface that works in all conditions for our users,” Whitty said.
RASP and IGS hope to break ground in the spring, but a specific timeline is still being planned out. The trail is a favourite for dog walkers and bikers, and signage will be installed when work starts to keep trail users up to date.
Once shovels are in the ground, RASP and IGS will need additional volunteers to help work on the project.
“We have capacity based on the numbers of volunteers that we can recruit, which over the years has increased,” Whitty said, adding that anyone interested in helping out can email [email protected] for more information and future volunteer opportunities.
When the trail work is completed it will join a growing list of accessible recreation opportunities including adaptive skiing and snowboarding.
“This is going to be an amazing project for a more inclusive Revelstoke for everyone,” Whitty said. “I think the more community members that get involved, the bigger the project will be.”
What did you think of this story?
Your feedback after we publish a story helps ensure we're always improving our reporting to better serve you
