Nothing to change for trail users
The status quo will reign for users of the Dawson Road trail, at least for now.
The status quo will reign for users of the Dawson Road trail, at least for now.
At last Monday’s council meeting, members were unanimous in approving the recommendation of the Whitehorse Trails and Greenways Committee, confirming the trail designation allows for snowmobiles on the trail in the winter.
The designation would be looked at again when a regional park plan is developed for the Wolf Creek area which includes the trail.
The city’s consideration of the trail use comes following much public debate over motorized and non-motorized use of the area.
That included arguments presented earlier this month by Pat Milligan asking for further assessment of environmentally sensitive areas around the trail.
Public meetings and discussions were held as the Whitehorse Trails and Greenways Committee considered the matter over the last few months. The committee eventually recommended the current designation remain in place for the time being.
The designation is, however, considered to be “under review” until the regional park plan is done.
As it was stated in a summary report to council: “The trail is currently designated as non-motorized in summer and motorized multiple-use in winter. The trail and greenways advisory committee recommended that the existing designations be maintained and considered as under review pending an upcoming regional park and trail planning process.”
Doug Hnatiuk, the city’s manager of parks and community development, noted a neighbourhood task force, including stakeholder groups, area residents and others, will be formed as work begins on the plan.
That’s anticipated to happen in the fall, with posters already up at community mailboxes and emails sent out to members of the community association to get the word out about the task force.
Wolf Creek and Chadburn Lake are among five areas identified for regional parks in the city’s Official Community Plan.
Comments (18)
Up 0 Down 1
Mark on Jul 11, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Now we get to see these people go through what us Riverdale residents went through. If you have the same type of people living out there as we do here, I feel for you.
These people will eventually take your trails away from you and then lie to your face, telling you you still have trails to use.
They actually believe they're own lies here in Riverdale. There is not one trail deemed motorized trail. They will say there is but I challenge anyone to show me one. We have Grey mountain road, Cantlie lake road and Schwatka lake road, that is all!!! Every single trail we have made has been taken over with signs showing no ATV's. Every single one!
To say different is to lie. Now we have the mountain bikers cutting new trails and trying to blame atv's .
In my 20 years living in Riverdale and raising my kids on these trails, I now seem to be an outcast because of my choice of sport. City council is bought and paid for by these people and bullsh*t organizations and ASSociations. Council needs to grow a pair and do the right thing here. Will they?, I doubt it.
Good luck Dawson road residents......you're gonna need it.
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north_of_60 on Jun 26, 2016 at 1:22 pm
@BnR "Was there ever a road to CarX prior to the railway? "
That depends on how you choose to define a 'road'. Is a wagon trail a road?
Up 3 Down 1
Mark Sanders on Jun 26, 2016 at 12:36 pm
A agree with Just Sayin
You have a private railway right of way along there which is used/ignored by people on foot or machine. With planning there could be other routes which stay away from homes backing onto the greenbelt but the city is likely to mess it up and have new park which is not really a park. If you want a quiet walk out that way go to the Wolf Creek Territorial Park.
If you count the Alaska highway trails on both sides of the highway there are 5 parallel trails out there wide enough to be used by jeeps, ATVs, you name it.
The city may not be able to control people on toys because of the sense of entitlement. It's kinda like the cattle ranchers tearing down sheep farmers fences in the wild west or the attitude against indigenous people when the Europeans came. A sad reflection of modern society and the end of the Wilderness City.
If you tell someone they have just ruined a small walking trail or torn up a nice creek they will more than likely tell you to mind your own business and get angry.
Up 1 Down 0
BnR on Jun 25, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Just Sayin
Not to belabour the point, but that is not what he was referring to. The old CarX road doesn't go up past the Takhini river, which was what he DID refer to, which is part of the old Dawson Overland Trail.
Was there ever a road to CarX prior to the railway? Didn't think there was. There are the roads/trails that serviced the pipeline and rail bed, but the only track that goes all the way is adjacent to the rail bed. No doubt there are old First Nation trails all the way.
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north_of_60 on Jun 24, 2016 at 11:09 pm
JS is correct about the Old Carcross Road. It is the trail south off the end of Dawson road and the trail north off the end of Harbottle road, and runs through the Wolf Ck subdivision. It's been an all-year multi-use trail for over a hundred years and will continue to be a multi-use trail in the future. We will continue to use it for ATVs and they can't stop us or catch us. If they want trails for non-motorized use only then they can go make their own.
Up 1 Down 0
WP&YR Historian on Jun 24, 2016 at 8:37 pm
@Just Say'in is misinformed.
Mary Lake was originally called Ruth Lake but was renamed by the Catholic Church when they established a bible camp there.
Dugdale Station at MP 100 on the WP&YR, located at the north end of Ruth Lake, was named for James Dugdale (1842-1903), an early shareholder of the White Pass and Yukon Railway.
Dugdale Station at Ruth Lake was a popular stop in the early days of the WP&YR because of the great variety of birds found there.
Up 4 Down 6
Trails to where? on Jun 24, 2016 at 1:59 pm
This so-called ‘original’ designation of the Dawson Trail was made up between certain ORV reps and some city staff without public consultation. The fact is that when the public is truly consulted, the great majority, including folks with mobility issues, want non-motorized trails separate from motorized trails, for example, the Millennium Trail and its bridge. It’s also in the OCP, which is the result of public consultation. The OCP specifically stated no motorized trails through environmentally sensitive areas…
So, what kind of backroom deals are going on now...
Up 9 Down 4
Pjt1959 on Jun 23, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Well what can one say if you have a handicap you cannot go out on a trail in this city. A few of my friends could only go on a motorized vehicle and one only if someone was driving. What happened to the old days when everyone used trails whether on foot or motorized. Time to have all tax payers treated the same. When people cannot share it is a sad time and shows the greed. Make more trails multi use and have trails for walking only. Well I know that is a pipe dream in what used to be a city of sharing. That is my rant.
Up 5 Down 18
TOYA Supporter on Jun 23, 2016 at 1:20 pm
I hope TOYA becomes more involved in wilderness city trail issues. The parks and special areas should be protected. The city seems to turn a blind eye to the basic requirements of licensing and insurance and plates etc. Have never seen a machine with a plate on it. Seldom see people wearing head protection.
The bad habits frequently seen in town or close to town get transferred to trails further away.
Up 9 Down 1
Just Say'in on Jun 23, 2016 at 10:14 am
@BnR He is referring to the Old Carcross Road. It goes through there and goes on the East side of Doug Dale Lake (Mary Lake) renamed by the Catholic Church. You can follow that road most of the way to Carcross still today. It is a traditional Motorized trail or road.
Up 9 Down 0
BnR on Jun 22, 2016 at 7:28 am
Steve Horn
You are thinking of the Old Dawson trail, or the old Dawson overland Trail, a portion of which is used for the trans Canada Trail. The trail in question in the article is a local trail in Wolf Creek. No historical significance other than in the context of Wolf creek itself.
Up 7 Down 4
John Miller on Jun 21, 2016 at 6:53 pm
I have walked Wolf Creek in this area many times. It has so much potential for nice walking trails within the new Wolf Creek park and trails can be connected to the territorial campground with a little imagination.
It would be nice if the city provided more options for motorized trails while protecting the riparian area along the creek. People will always say they need this area for off road vehicles but there has to be a balance of properly developing the park and addressing wants vrs needs.
Up 23 Down 3
We can share the trails on Jun 21, 2016 at 5:58 pm
What is wrong with all you people who can't share a trail? Whether your walking or in a side by side, the trails are for all of us. I ride my side by side out at wolf creek all year. I certainly don't make it so others can't use it. What is the problem? If you can't share it, you should just stay off it!
Up 9 Down 17
Joe Miner on Jun 21, 2016 at 12:44 pm
I wonder how this new park will be developed. Do we have walking trails these days?
Some of the trails I know out that way of are pretty messed up. And I do not agree with the logic that if you live in the country you can take your side by side anywhere you like.
Up 10 Down 13
Salar on Jun 21, 2016 at 10:34 am
Task force stay green...yes we will ban driving on those former roads if it's the last thing we do! And it probably will be because we are OLD nimbys
Up 15 Down 5
I live in wolf creek on Jun 21, 2016 at 7:41 am
As long as I can drive my machine (during any season) on the trail that gets me to the copper haul road I don't care what they do here.
Up 13 Down 4
Steven Horn on Jun 21, 2016 at 1:22 am
What is now the Dawson Road trail was once the Yukon's first highway, one on which Territorial funds were spent as long ago as 1903. It was still suitable for travel in 1993 (I travelled 30 km along it from the Takhini River to a trapper's cabin in the spring of that year). Its historical significance should not be forgotten and should be remembered as part of the Yukon's heritage.
Up 25 Down 5
Walter Nehring on Jun 20, 2016 at 9:34 pm
One resident on Dawson road wants to change the designation - everyone else out here is happy with motorized access winter and Summer.